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The 12 Best Science TV Shows to Watch on Netflix

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Who says you can't learn while being entertained? From chemistry and physics to the world of wildlife, here are the best science TV shows on Netflix. These educational shows for adults are perfect to watch when you're stuck at home.

These science TV shows are all available in the US, or by using ones of the VPNs that still work with Netflix .

1. Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak

It's eerie. Netflix released Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak at the end of January 2020. Days later, the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc across the world. This six-part series is a must-watch in today's times.

Pandemic seems prescient as it follows scientists, doctors, and activists across the world who are all preparing for the next rapid contagion. They are convinced that a global virus could hit any day, and, in hindsight, we know they were right. As one of them says, "When we talk about another flu pandemic happening, it's a matter of not if but when?"

The series starts off strong and the first two episodes are a compelling watch. It gets a bit broad and sometimes uninteresting, but then picks up again in time for the last episode.

2. Bill Nye Saves the World

Bill Nye "The Science Guy" is back to entertain and educate a new generation of kids (and adults). Nye's Netflix show spans 25 episodes across three seasons. He explains topical scientific issues, debunks pseudoscience, and does a few experiments along the way. It's one of the coolest TV series for lab experiments.

While it's family-friendly viewing, Nye is more snarky and combative than his earlier show. Common Sense Media even advises parents that this series is better suited for teenagers than younger children, as the host pokes fun at people he disagrees with and also handles mature topics like sex.

For teens and adults alike though, it's an entertaining balance of scientific views and public opinion.

3. Everyday Miracles

Have you noticed how much glass is around you? Every gadget with a screen, the windows, the kitchen; even entire office buildings. Spending more time at home is making us realize how many things we take for granted in daily life.

Everyday Miracles celebrates the wondrous inventions all around us by examining what life was like without them, and the stories of their invention. Materials scientist Mark Miodownik is a bundle of energy, and his enthusiasm about the world around us is infectious. Making this a great educational show for adults and kids both.

This child-friendly BBC show takes one theme for every episode, and explores it fully. For example, there is a wonderful episode on the humble razor blade, and how glass entirely changed how mankind builds everything.

4. Brain Games [Broken URL Removed]

The one reason to tune in to the National Geographic channel regularly is Brain Games.

Brain Games explores how the human mind is capable of tricking itself and others. The show's greatest accomplishment is how it involves viewers and audiences. Often, you will be asked to participate in the ongoing illusion or mind trickery. It's one of the best TV shows teaching science.

Part of the magic is Jason Silva, a fantastic host who plays both the dupe and the expert, as the situation demands. If you like math, a few of the episodes have fun with numbers. But Brain Games is not great for binge watching. Instead, we would recommend watching one or two episodes at a time.

5. White Rabbit Project

The ever-popular MythBusters is no longer available on Netflix. But the build team behind MythBusters got their own show. Hosts Kari Byron, Tory Belleci, and Grant Imahara (whom you may have seen before) conduct crazy experiments to test some wild claims.

But first, understand that this isn't MythBusters. Think of it as an homage at best, and you'll enjoy White Rabbit Project (WRP). If you're expecting a spin-off, you'll be disappointed. WRP has its own style and sensibilities, with each host bringing their own expertise to design grand experiments.

The single 10-episode season sees the team test everything from potential superpowers to intricate heists and thefts. And yes, fans of chemistry TV shows can look forward to cool and crazy lab experiments. It takes a few episodes to warm up to the hosts, but by the end of it, WRP makes you feel like you're part of the gang.

6. 100 Humans

100 Humans is kind of a soft sciences TV show, a bit like a psychological version of Mythbusters. The fun and wacky series conducts experiments on a group of 100 anonymous people (only identifiable by their T-shirt numbers). The idea is to answer questions like what do humans find attractive, pain vs. pleasure, and so on.

Science correspondent Alie Ward and comedians Zainab Johnson and Sammy Obeid host each episode. They banter and joke around, interview the contestants and experts, and set up each experiment. To be fair, the experiments don't always employ strict scientific conditions, so chalk this one up more as fun science than true science.

The first season has eight episodes, with about three to five experiments per episode. Start with episodes where you find the subject interesting. Once you get into the groove, you can enjoy the others too.

7. Explained

Vox Media's short video explanations were going viral on YouTube. So Vox and Netflix teamed up to make a science TV show to simplify complex topics. Everything is based on hard facts, logic, and science. It's like a mixture of things you need to know and things you were too afraid to ask about.

Explained focuses on a new topic in each of its 30 episodes, which last about 18 minutes. It imparts facts and data through a combination of animations and infographics that makes it easier to digest. Each episode has a new narrator and features interviews with experts on the topic.

This short science TV show has been such a success that Netflix ordered two spin-offs. The Mind, Explained is a 5-part mini series narrated by Oscar winner Emma Stone, delving into topics like memory and dreams. Sex, Explained is another 5-part mini-series narrated by singer-songwriter Janelle Monae talking about topics like attraction and birth.

8. Our Planet

Is there a better voice to describe the natural world than the dulcet tones of Sir David Attenborough? Our Planet combines the legendary British natural historian with the team behind some of his previous TV shows, including Planet Earth, The Blue Planet, and Frozen Planet. That alone is reason enough to watch this marvelous eight-part Netflix original series.

Importantly, Our Planet not only looks at wildlife but also how human beings are affecting it. It shines the harsh light on climate change and the human impact on the natural world and all living creatures. The documentary is almost a call-to-arms for us to protect important habitats and do our bit.

Each episode explores a new ecological system, and how it works in different parts of the world. It presents the marvel of life with breathtaking footage captured in a variety of ways.

9. Night on Earth

In the wild, a lot of action takes place after the sun sets. Nocturnal creatures have a much better ability to see and hear in the wild than humans. But modern technology is catching up to provide a never-before-seen look at life after dark.

In Night on Earth, low-light cameras, heat-tracking, and other technologies come together to show what happens in the moonlight. It feels strange but fascinating, and you'll slowly get used to it. From predator attacks to mating rituals, Night On Earth has all the elements of a classic wildlife show, but with a fresh new palette.

Sometimes, the way the makers have enhanced images feels artificial, but it's not a dealbreaker. Narrator Samira Wiley and the story-telling team do a good job of entertaining and educating. But the highlight here is not what you hear as much as what you see.

10. Edge of the Universe

Bill Nye and others try to make science TV shows fun and educational. Edge of the Universe is for science nerds who know their basics, and want to know more.

This three-part series features scientists who explore one aspect of the cosmos in each episode. First, they tackle the question of alien life and habitable Earth-like planets. Next, they look at asteroids and comets, and how they formed the Earth. Finally, they look at the beginning of the universe, and how enormous it is today.

If you have ever wondered about all that lies beyond Earth, this is the TV show you need to watch. It's a whole new way to see and explore the universe.

11. A Year in Space

Science fiction has often fed us the fantasy that one day, we'll all be living on the moon or on Mars. But in all of those, our bodies function normally. No one has really thought about what happens to the human body without the Earth's natural gravitational force. Watch A Year in Space to find out.

Astronaut Scott Kelly spent a year on the International Space Station conducting experiments, and as an experiment himself. His twin brother, astronaut Mike Kelly, was still back on Earth. NASA tested the brothers before, during, and after that year-long period to find out the effects of zero-gravity upon humans.

The 12-part mini-series tracks those 12 months of Kelly's life aboard the ISS, the longest by any NASA astronaut. It also features interviews with family, friends, and NASA officials and experts, and slowly unravels what Kelly's year could mean for the future of space exploration and living in the great beyond.

12. Conspiracy

Put on your tin foil hat and have a little fun with this one. The first conspiracy of Conspiracy is whether it's called Conspiracy or Conspiracies. Because while the title says Conspiracy, the show's featured image and Wikipedia page both say Conspiracies.

Now, we all know that the internet is full of websites exploring conspiracy theories. But if you value your sanity you don't want to go trawling through those. Instead, let this 13-episode show tell you about some of the most popular conspiracy theories in different subjects.

Each episode tackles one subject. Like rock'n'roll, for example, which has several conspiracy theories attached to it, such as the rumor of Paul McCartney's premature death. It's not all about the theories themselves though. Science is at its best when it questions each aspect of a "fact," and that's what this show will make you do.

13. Behind the Curve

Behind the Curve is a must-watch documentary for anyone with a scientific bent . Over 95 minutes, director Daniel J. Clark introduces you to the world of flat-Earthers in the USA and explores the idea of whether it's actually true.

Scientific temperament requires that you allow your deep-set notions to be challenged, and conduct experiments, observe, and draw conclusions. The documentary asks for an open mind, and talks to experts on both sides of the argument. While it's no surprise that hard science wins out in the end, the journey is fascinating.

A fantastic scene captures the flat-Earthers conducting a common logic experiment to emphatically prove their point. And there's an emotional story in the middle of it all, which only heightens the experience. Behind the Curve, more than anything else, teaches us how to think scientifically while maintaining empathy.

From Science TV Shows to Science Fiction Movies

If you haven't seen any of these science TV shows yet, we would recommend starting with Our Planet. It's one of the best cinematic experiences among those listed above. But given the current environment, Pandemic may just be the best educational show for adults available on Netflix.

It's not all about education though, is it? You can love science and still want to be entertained. So we've also rounded up the best science fiction movies on Netflix .

Image Credit: Stuart Jenner/Shutterstock

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100 Best Netflix Series to Watch Right Now (August 2024)

Looking for the best shows on Netflix? Look no further, because Rotten Tomatoes has put together a list of the 100 best original Netflix series available to watch right now, ranked according to the Tomatometer. To keep the list fresh with the best Netflix series to watch, the series featured here are currently in production, have been renewed for further seasons, or aired their final episode recently (within the last year or two, so people can still discover them after they’ve ended).

Most recently we’ve updated with Supacell ,   Pokemon Concierge , Baby Reindeer , Dead Boy Detectives .

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The 25 best shows to watch on Netflix right now

From award-winning comedies to underrated animated series, here's what should be on your watchlist.

MATT SQUIRE/Netflix; Rhys Thomas/IFC; HBO

Looking to devote hours to drama that isn't yours? Log on to Netflix and prepare to binge away your troubles. And if you need help parsing through the platform's thousands of television offerings, EW is here to lend a discerning eye and helping hand.

We’ve got recommendations for every television-loving palate, from hilarious quick-binge comedy shows to 100-plus-episode dramas. There are thrillers, sitcoms, coming-of-age dramedies, and even documentaries (both real and fake!). So, grab some snacks and snuggle into the fuzziest throw blanket you’ve got. Here are the 25 best shows on Netflix right now.

A Killer Paradox (2024)

SONG KYOUNG SUB/Netflix

What retail worker hasn’t wanted to let loose on a rude customer? When meek loser Lee Tang (Choi Woo-shik) gives in to that impulse with a hammer, he’s horrified… until he finds out he accidentally murdered a serial killer. Based on the award-winning webtoon of the same name, this stylish and fantastical Korean thriller follows Tang’s progression into vigilante murder, with the dogged detective (Son Suk-ku) tracking his every kill.

Where to watch A Killer Paradox : Netflix

Cast: Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, Lee Hee-joon

Related content: The 15 best serial killer shows streaming on Netflix right now

American Nightmare (2024)

Courtesy of Netflix

The nightmare at the center of this true crime docuseries belongs first and foremost to Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn, the home invasion victims who were unfairly accused of staging Huskins’ kidnapping, rape, and return. The American nightmare, on the other hand, belongs to all of us. Watching the police hold a press conference to paint Huskins and Quinn as Gone Girl hucksters will infuriate you, especially when the media spreads the false narrative with glee. The true crime genre is undergoing a reckoning lately, and rightly so, but this three-part examination of how institutions fail victims represents what the genre can do when filmmakers cover their topics with care and empathy.

Where to watch American Nightmare : Netflix

Cast: Denise Huskins, Aaron Quinn

Related content: The 27 best true crime documentaries on Netflix

Blue Eye Samurai (2023–present)

Set in 1600s Edo Japan, Blue Spirit Studios brings married showrunners Michael Green ( Logan ) and Amber Noizumi’s dizzyingly violent vision to technicolor life, especially in the fight scenes. And there are A LOT of fight scenes in this gorgeous adult animation series. Our titular hero is Mizu ( Maya Erskine ), a blue-eyed mixed-race woman who disguises herself as a man to become a deadly fighter, even as her interracial identity makes her the target of vicious treatment. She embarks on a journey to track down and kill the four white men left in her closed-border country, one of whom is her father. An all-star cast (Brenda Song, Randall Park , George Takei , Kenneth Branagh ) bring their best to the series, but Masi Oka ( Heroes ) is a standout as Mizu’s optimistic, would-be apprentice.

Where to watch Blue Eye Samurai : Netflix

Cast: Maya Erskine , Brenda Song, Randall Park, George Takei, Kenneth Branagh, Masi Oka

Related content: The best anime on Netflix right now

Call the Midwife (2012–present)

Nealstreet Productions

The beloved British drama about young midwives in London kicked off in 1957 and currently takes place in 1969. That’s 13 highly bingeable seasons of cheering on the young nurses (and the Anglican nuns who run Nonnatus House) as they provide vital healthcare services to the poverty-stricken East End. Based on Jenny Lee’s memoirs, each season highlights England’s rapidly changing culture through the lens of motherhood (birth control, self-managed abortion, sex work, intersex births, and more). What keeps you hooked on Call the Midwife , though, are the midwives whose lives are inevitably changed by the job.

Where to watch Call the Midwife : Netflix  

Cast: Vanessa Redgrave , Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt, Helen George, Laura Main, Stephen McGann

Related content: The 20 best British shows on Netflix

Cobra Kai (2018–present)

We regret to inform you that it’s been 40 YEARS since the original Karate Kid movie. The sequel series is no spring chicken either, as season 6 is set to (finally!) premiere this year with senseis Daniel LaRusso ( Ralph Macchio ) and Johnny Lawrence ( William Zabka ) preparing their students for the Sekai Taikai international karate tournament, where multiple old enemies are bound to complicate things. Cobra Kai is the rare show that Gen X and Gen Z can love equally. The first part (of three) of season 6 dropped on July 18.

Where to watch Cobra Kai : Netflix

Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Yuji Okumoto, Peyton List, Mary Mouser

Related content: Cobra Ka i's William Zabka shows off badass moves in season 6 training video

Crashing (2016)

Mark Johnson/Channel 4

Before she was Fleabag , Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote herself another absurdly messy lead role in this charming quick-binge comedy. Set in an abandoned hospital where twentysomethings live for cheap rent (a real thing in England), Crashing has Waller-Bridge’s trademark cutting wit combined with an open, bleeding heart at the center of every joke. All that plus a pre- Bridgerton Jonathan Bailey with bleached blond hair!

Where to watch Crashing : Netflix

Cast: Phoebe Waller-Bridge , Jonathan Bailey, Julie Dray, Louise Ford

Related content: 35 one-season TV wonders

Cunk on Earth (2022)

Tracing human history from the earliest civilizations to the space race, reporter Philomena Cunk (comedian Diane Morgan) is on a mission to reach “every corner of the globe money and pandemic travel restrictions would allow.” The highlight of this five-episode mockumentary series is the dozens of real-life experts who patiently deal with Cunk’s deadpan cluelessness, like British historian Martin Kemp answering the question, "Which was more culturally significant: the Renaissance, or ‘Single Ladies’ by Beyoncé?" with a seriousness that couldn’t be funnier.

Where to watch Cunk on Earth : Netflix

Cast: Diane Morgan

Related content: 10 funny mockumentaries to remind us about the absurdity of life

Derry Girls (2018–2022)

Lisa McGee’s semi-autobiographical series, about growing up in the titular Northern Ireland towns during the Troubles, could have been a sentimental coming-of-age dramedy. Luckily, she went in another direction. The Derry Girls are hilariously inept teenagers dealing with constant self-created mayhem. Add an Irish family, an obnoxious Pick-Me-Girl classmate (Leah O'Rourke), and the permanently over-it Catholic school headmistress (the perfectly dry Siobhán McSweeney), and you have Derry Girls , an absolute corker of a show.

Where to watch Derry Girls : Netflix

Cast: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan , Louisa Harland, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn, Siobhán McSweeney

Related content: 5 reasons you should stop everything and watch Derry Girls on Netflix right now

The Diplomat (2023)

Alex Bailey/Netflix

You can hear creator Debora Cahn’s West Wing writing roots in the rat-a-tat dialogue of The Diplomat . (This is a compliment.) Keri Russell , allowed to be slightly lighthearted for once, plays Kate Wyler, the new and reluctant U.S. ambassador to the U.K.  Everything would be fine if not for her on-again, off-again Machiavellian spouse (a rakish Rufus Sewell ) who loves to scheme in her best interest, a staff who keep trying to put her in designer dresses, a too-hot guy who works for British intelligence (David Gyasi), and an international incident that could lead to World War III. Fun political dramedy is hard to come by, and this one nails it.

Where to watch The Diplomat : Netflix

EW grade: A– ( read the review )

Cast: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi

Related content: Keri Russell is heading back to TV after The Americans with Netflix political thriller

Documentary Now! (2015–2022)

Rhys Thomas/IFC

Like a much funnier version of the Traveling Wilburys, SNL alumni Bill Hader , Fred Armisen , Seth Meyers , and Rhys Thomas formed a comedy supergroup in 2015 to lovingly parody acclaimed documentaries. Each standalone episode mimics a work’s filming style, subjects, and storyline — but with a twist. When We Were Kings , about the infamous Muhammad Ali /George Foreman “Rumble in the Jungle” fight, becomes How They Threw Rocks , about a fictional Welsh sport that’s essentially dodgeball with stones. The only thing every entry has in common is an introduction from host Dame Helen Mirren , playing her role with a gravitas that dares you to laugh (and you will).

Where to watch Documentary Now! : Netflix

Cast: Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Rhys Thomas, Helen Mirren

Related content: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicholas Braun on lampooning Werner Herzog in the Documentary Now! season 4 premiere

Feel Good (2020–2021)

If you only know Mae Martin from their comedy specials or the Handsome podcast with Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster , now is the time to watch their underseen rom-com series. The semi-autobiographical show follows Martin falling in love with shy teacher George (Charlotte Ritchie), but their romance is complicated by addiction, past trauma, late-in-life coming out, and family. Though the subject matter is serious, the execution is wry, especially when Martin’s mother Linda ( Lisa Kudrow , sharply hilarious) chimes in.

Where to watch Feel Good : Netflix

Cast: Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie, Lisa Kudrow

Related content: Survivor alum Parvati Shallow reveals relationship with comedian Mae Martin: 'We're here. We're queer'

Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)

Bill Records/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

If Friday Night Lights was just about Coach and Mrs. Coach ( Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton , respectively) having one of the best marriages in television history, the series might have still made this list. But luckily, the Emmy-winning drama about high school football in a small-town Texas has plenty of other attributes. It’s hard not to fall in love with just about every character, especially those played by the young and stellar cast ( Zach Gilford , Minka Kelly , Adrianne Palicki , Taylor Kitsch , Jesse Plemons , Jurnee Smollett , Matt Lauria , and Michael B. Jordan , just to name a few!). Clear eyes and full hearts, y’all. 

Where to watch Friday Night Lights : Netflix  

Cast: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Jurnee Smollett, Matt Lauria, Michael B. Jordan

Related content: Friday Night Lights series finale: Ranking the tear-inducing moments

The Gentlemen (2024)

Guy Ritchie created this action series as a spin-off of his 2019 movie, but it works just fine on its own. When Amy Capt. Edward Horniman ( Theo James ) unexpectedly inherits his father’s estate and title, he doesn’t expect to also inherit the drug operation on his land run by an incarcerated drug kingpin ( Ray Winstone ) and his daughter (Kaya Scodelario). Add to the mix a nefarious American billionaire ( Giancarlo Esposito ), an entire Liverpool crime organization, and Eddie’s messy screwup of a brother Freddy (Daniel Ings), and you’ve got a binge with plenty of high-octane hijinks.

Where to watch The Gentlemen : Netflix

Cast: Theo James, Ray Winstone, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Daniel Ings, Freddie Fox

Related content: Guy Richie’s The Gentlemen is becoming a TV show

GLOW (2017–2019)

If you weren’t watching local syndicated television in the 1980s, you might have missed the real-life Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling variety show. Have no fear, the fictionalized version is just a binge away. Sports fan and would-be producer Bash ( Chris Lowell ) funds a women’s wrestling program directed by a washed-up has-been ( Marc Maron at his weary best) and starring the oddballs willing to take on the physically and mentally grueling job. Ruth ( Alison Brie ) and Debbie ( Betty Gilpin ) anchor the cast as the Cold War heel-and-hero combination Zoya the Destroya and Liberty Belle, who slowly realize they could run the show themselves. Even though GLOW was unfairly canceled too soon , there’s still plenty to love about this three-season gem.  

Where to watch GLOW : Netflix

Cast: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Marc Maron, Chris Lowell, Kate Nash

Related content: Watch the GLOW cast reunite for the first time after the Netflix series cancellation

Girls5eva (2021–present)

Emily V. Aragones/Netflix

Netflix rescued this Tina Fey -produced musical comedy — about a ‘90s one-hit wonder group that stages a comeback — from Peacock . And thank goodness, because season 3 has put the band back on the road for more ridiculous adventures. Each of the four women brings their own set of hilarious neurosis: Dawn ( Sara Bareilles ), the songwriter balancing her dreams and family life; Summer ( Busy Philipps ), who navigates divorce and independence; Gloria ( Paula Pell ), the lesbian dentist who relishes being creative again; and Wickie ( Renee Elise Goldsberry ) the diva determined to make it. Every song is a banger, the jokes are rapid-fire, and 4eva is definitely too short.

Where to watch Girls5eva : Netflix

Cast: Sara Bareilles, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell

Related content: We drank three rounds with the cast of Girls5eva ...cause forever's too short

The Harlan Coben Collection (2020–2024)

Harlan Coben, your dad’s favorite mystery-thriller author, writes clever, fast-paced, plot-driven books that make for a great limited series. Netflix went wisely international in its adaptations, so these eight standalone productions shot in France, Poland, England, and Spain make for visually beautiful storytelling. Starring actors you may already know ( Cush Jumbo , Richard Armitage , and Michael C. Hall ) as well as international stand-outs you’ll wish you’d known sooner (Mario Casas, Grzegorz Damięcki, and Magdalena Boczarska), these titles are great when you need a whodunit.

Where to watch The Harlan Coben Collection : Netflix

Cast: Cush Jumbo, Richard Armitage, Michael C. Hall, Mario Casas, Grzegorz Damięcki, Magdalena Boczarska

Related content: Stay Close showrunner breaks down the thrilling end to mystery miniseries

Insecure (2016–2021)

Raymond Liu/HBO

HBO has begun licensing content to Netflix, so there’s no better time to start binging shows you might have missed. Start with this Emmy-nominated comedy-drama about two best friends: Issa ( Issa Rae ), the unfocused non-profit worker stuck in a stale relationship who raps encouragement to herself in the mirror, and Molly ( Yvonne Orji ), the driven lawyer with sky-high dating standards. Deftly balancing the ridiculous (every instance of Issa’s white boss at the non-profit We Got Y’all) with the authentic (Issa and Molly’s rocky friendship, which dominates a stellar season 4), Insecure is about growing up when you’re already grown.

Where to watch Insecure : Netflix

Cast: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Lisa Joyce, Natasha Rothwell , Jay Ellis

Related content: Why the heck Insecure and other HBO titles are heading to Netflix

Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)

John McEnroe ’s brattiest days are far behind him, but he’s still the perfect narrator for how 15-year-old Devi Vishwakumar (newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan ) feels when her father suddenly dies while watching her band recital. Dealing with grief that leaves her angry and impulsive, Devi struggles to connect with her mother (Poorna Jagannathan), her best friends (Ramona Young and Lee Rodriguez), and her academic rival/potential suitor (Jaren Lewison). Series co-creator Mindy Kaling balances the coming-of-age comedy and drama almost as perfectly as McEnroe breathes the words “Paxton Hall-Yoshida!” every time Devi sees her not-so-out-of-reach crush (Darren Barnet).

Where to watch Never Have I Ever : Netflix

Cast: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan , Poorna Jagannathan, Ramona Young, Lee Rodriguez, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, John McEnroe

Related content: John McEnroe talks narrating Never Have I Ever , failing to learn teen lingo

One Day (2024)

It’s a tale as old as time: A working-class girl meets an upper-crust boy, there’s a will-they-or-won’t-they tension, and they reunite once a year for two decades. Based on the 2009 David Nicholls novel and one-upping the lackluster 2011 Anne Hathaway movie, this series has three major advantages over previous incarnations: Leo Woodall as Dexter, Ambika Mod as Emma, and the undeniable chemistry between them. It’s a love story that will probably make you cry, but it’s one you won’t regret watching.

Where to watch One Day : Netflix

Cast: Leo Woodall, Ambika Mod, Eleanor Tomlinson, Essie Davis, Tim McInnerny

Related content: Inside the making of Netflix's poignant, beautiful One Day adaption

Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)

MATT SQUIRE/Netflix

Peaky Blinders is a highly stylized, ultra-violent, fun-as-a-fixed-horse race family crime drama. World War I veteran Tommy Shelby (newly minted Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy ) fights to run the successful Birmingham gang while also keeping control of his hotheaded Aunt Polly (the late, great Helen McCrory ), his hotheaded brother Arthur (Paul Anderson), his hotheaded little sister Ada (Sophie Rundle), and various other hotheads who make his days difficult. Early in season 1, he meets and falls madly in love with Grace ( Annabelle Wallis ), who may or may not be his downfall. Once you finish your binge, you can look forward to the upcoming movie that will wrap up Tommy’s story late next year.

Where to watch Peaky Blinders : Netflix

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill , Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Finn Cole, Joe Cole, Tom Hardy , Anya Taylor-Joy

Related content: Peaky Blinders pays tribute to Helen McCrory with clapboard illustration

Resident Alien (2021–present)

James Dittinger/SYFY

Alan Tudyk leads this series as Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, an extraterrestrial sent to destroy the human race but who instead decides to assimilate into society as the medical examiner of a small, Colorado town. Throughout three seasons, Harry deals with alien hunters, other aliens, meddling kids (he could have gotten away with it, too!) and, of course, falling in love. Not to mention pretending to be a person isn’t as easy as Law & Order made it look.

Where to watch Resident Alien: Netflix

Cast: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds, Alice Wetterlund, Levi Fiehler, Judah Prehn, Elizabeth Bowen

Related content : Alan Tudyk explains why his Resident Alien character hates humans in exclusive sneak peek

Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

Sure, this Alan Ball HBO drama has one the greatest series finales of all time, but before you get there, you’ve got 62 other episodes that are also pretty stellar. The ensemble centers around the Fisher family ( Peter Krause , Michael C. Hall, Lauren Ambrose , and Frances Conroy ) who run a funeral home in Los Angeles after the sudden loss of their patriarch, exploring death as a constant companion both literally and figuratively. Each episode begins with the demise of someone who ends up in the Fisher home — some tragic (a child dies of SIDS), some darkly comedic (a cube of airplane waste drops from the sky and lands on a woman), and all reminding the Fishers that the end is just around the corner.

Where to watch Six Feet Under : Netflix

EW grade: B+ ( read the review )

Cast: Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodriguez, Mathew St. Patrick, Jeremy Sisto , Rachel Griffiths , James Cromwell, Justina Machado

Related content : Six Feet Under at 20: A look back at HBO's groundbreaking drama

Stateless (2020)

BEN KING/NETFLIX

This intense Australian limited series highlights the troubled history of the country’s many detention centers for undocumented immigrants. Created by Cate Blanchett , who plays a small role as a conniving self-help con artist, we follow four stories: Sofie ( Yvonne Strahovski ), who ended up in detention while trying to escape a cult; Ameer (Fayssal Bazzi), a single-father refugee who flees Afghanistan; Clare (Asher Keddie), an administrator in over her head; and Cam (Jai Courtney), a new officer who’s only in it for the solid paycheck. It’s a harrowing watch, all the more so when you find out it's based on a true story.

Where to watch Stateless : Netflix

EW grade: A– ( read the review here )

Cast: Yvonne Strahovski, Cate Blanchett, Fayssal Bazzi, Asher Keddie, Jai Courtney, Dominic West

Related content : Fayssal Bazzi on playing refugee Ameer in Netflix's Stateless : 'I knew that it was an important thing to do'

Suits (2011–2019)

Frank Ockenfels/USA/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

If you haven’t already joined the most popular binge-watch of the last year, what are you waiting for? Part of the Blue Sky era on the USA Network , this fun legal drama tells the story of Mike Ross ( Patrick J. Adams ), a brilliant college dropout with a photographic memory who’s hired as an associate by successful corporate attorney Harvey Specter ( Gabriel Macht ). Together, they win cases, charm clients, and hide Mike’s secret — something that gets more and more difficult over nine seasons (the first eight are streaming on Netflix). The terrific supporting cast includes true royalty ( Meghan Markle , literally the Duchess of Sussex; Gina Torres , the queen of whatever screen she’s on; and Rick Hoffman , the king of my heart), who all make the most of their characters. 

Where to watch Suits : Netflix

Cast: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman, Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty, Gina Torres

Related Content: The cast of Suits : Where are they now?

The Tourist (2022–present)

Steffan Hill/Netflix

Jamie Dornan stars in this BBC mystery as a man who wakes up in an Australian hospital with no memory of what the audience has already seen: that his car was chased down and purposely hit by a semi-truck. Across two tense seasons, the amnesiac tries to figure out who he is and what happened with the help of sweet Probationary Constable Helen Chambers (a delightful Danielle Macdonald ) and Luci, a waitress who knows more than she’s letting on (Shalom Brune-Franklin). But the more he finds out about his past, the less he wants to remember.  

Where to watch The Tourist : Netflix

Cast: Jamie Dornan, Danielle Macdonald, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Genevieve Lemon, Alex Dimitriades, Damon Herriman

Related content: Jamie Dornan agrees that end of The Tourist season 2 is ‘f---ing mad’

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• The best TV shows on Amazon Prime Video right now

Related Articles

The 21 best science movies and shows streaming on Netflix that will make you smarter

If you're looking for something entertaining and beautiful that'll also inform you, there's an incredible variety of science- and nature-focused documentaries and TV shows on Netflix right now.

These films and series showcase the beauty of the planet , delve into the details of how food arrives on your plate, and explore the mysterious and alien underwater world in oceans around the globe.

The downside to having all of those options is that there's a lot to choose from. To make it easier, Business Insider reporters and editors have picked some of our favorites from Netflix' selection.

Films come and go from the platform every month, but as of the date of publication, everything on our list should be available. We'll update the recommendations periodically to reflect currently stream-able documentaries.

Here are our favorites, in no particular order:

"Icarus" (2017)

What it's about:  In 2014, filmmaker and amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel contacted Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, the director of the Moscow anti-doping center, for advice about how to get away with using performance-enhancing drugs. In 2015, Rodchenkov was implicated in state-sponsored doping efforts by the World Anti-Doping Agency. So he decided to flee Russia, travel to the US, and to reveal everything he knew about the widespread Russian doping program. 

Why you should see it :  The film mixes crime, sport, international intrigue, and the science of manipulating human performance. It's both thrilling and disturbing — and is especially relevant given the recent ban on Russian athletes competing for their country in the 2018 Winter Olympics . Because of Rodchenkov's revelations, the world will never look at sports — the Olympics especially — the same way again.  [ Click to watch ]

"Cooked" (2016)

What it's about:  In this four-part docu-series, journalist and food expert Michael Pollan explores the evolutionary history of food and its preparation through the lens of the four essential elements: fire, water, air, and earth. 

Why you should see it : Americans as a whole are cooking less and relying more on unhealthy, processed, and prepared foods. Pollan aims to bring viewers back to the kitchen by forging a meaningful connection to food and the joys of cooking.  [ Click to watch ]

"Blackfish" (2013)

What it's about: This film highlights abuses in the sea park industry through the tale of Tilikum, an orca in captivity at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. Tilikum has killed or been involved in the deaths of three people while living in the park. 

Why you should see it : This documentary opens your eyes to the troubles of keeping wild animals in captivity through shocking footage and emotional interviews. It highlights the potential issues of animal cruelty and abuse involved with using highly intelligent animals as entertainment. Sea parks have historically made billions of dollars by keeping animals captive, often at the expense of the health and well-being of animals. This documentary played a huge role in convincing SeaWorld to stop their theatrical "Shamu" killer whale shows.  [ Click to watch ]

"Chasing Coral" (2017)

What it's about:   Step into the alien world that teems with life beneath the sea. This film, by the team behind the film "Chasing Ice," is an attempt to document the transformation and loss of coral reefs around the globe. The filmmakers face rough oceans as they dive underwater to plant cameras and document the changes to reefs. What they reveal is both fascinating and tragic.

Why you should see it :   Coral reefs cover less than 2% of the sea floor, but a quarter of marine life depends on them to exist. Without these fascinating and complicated creatures, much of the ocean as we know it wouldn't exist. The filmmakers reveal the otherworldly beauty of these underwater creatures, and capture just how fragile their existence is at this point. [ Click to watch ]

"Planet Earth" (2006)

What it's about:  David Attenborough narrates this dazzling high-definition documentary series, as well as its sequel (see below). Each episode offers incredible footage of the world's breathtaking natural wonders — oceans, deserts, ice caps, and more.

Why you should see it :   "Planet Earth is why HDTV was invented. It has s ome of the most amazing visuals ever. And when you learn the lengths the crew went to for the footage, such as camping out for days on end in camouflage, you'll have a great appreciation for the people behind the show. They truly want to give you a one of a kind experience," said Sam Rega, the former  producer and director for Business Insider Films. 

" You've never seen nature like this. I'd argue that Planet Earth, with its high definition footage that took five years to shoot, changed the way nature documentaries were made — all for the better."

It's a journey around the globe to the incredibly varied environments that make up our world. Every episode shows you things you've never seen: caves with their eyeless creatures, jungles brimming with life, and to the mountains which tower over us. [ Click to watch ]

"Planet Earth II" (2017)

What it's about:  There's one way to top Planet Earth, and that's to take everything that was great about the original show and combine those techniques with new technology like 4K cameras and drone footage to shoot even more stunning scenes.

Why you should see it :   If you have any appreciation for nature documentaries, the drama of the natural world, stunning vistas, or David Attenborough's narration, this is a can't miss. Once you see a young iguana in the Galapagos start the race for his life to escape a swarm of snakes in the first episode, you'll be hooked. [ Click to watch ]

"The Blue Planet" (2001)

What it's about: This critically-acclaimed series plunges into the mysterious depths of the world's oceans by traveling to a variety of coasts and poles to examine creatures big and small. Like both Planet Earth series, it's narrated by David Attenborough, one of the most famous voices in documentary filmmaking. A sequel Blue Planet series is currently airing on BBC America, and will hopefully become available on Netflix someday soon. 

Why you should see it: Our planet is covered by water, yet the mysteries and alien creatures in the oceans seem like they're from another world. The next-best thing to exploring that yourself is watching footage of those incredible environments with David Attenborough's narration. You'll see fragile and colorful coral reefs, the dark abyss of the deep ocean, and the lives of the powerful creatures of the open sea.  [ Click to watch ]

"Life" (2009)

What it's about:  This stunning, 10-episode British series was made over four years and filmed on every continent and in every type of habitat in the world. It chronicles some of the most unusual and bizarre behaviors that plants and animals adopt to survive.

Why you should see it: In many ways, every creature on this planet is incredibly unique, adapting to fit whatever niche allows it survive. A clownfish, for example, makes its home inside the tentacles of a sea anemone that most other creatures can't be near without being stung. Yet in other ways, many animals have developed similar behaviors to other creatures, like ways of communicating or sharing tools. Seeing these behaviors shows just how adaptable life really is.  [ Click to watch ]

"Into the Abyss" (2011)

What it's about:  A Werner Herzog masterpiece, this documentary tells the story of death row inmate Michael Perry, who was convicted of a triple murder in 2001.

Why you should see it: This film delves into the fraught realm of capitol punishment through interviews with convicted killers and their families, as well as members of the Texas criminal justice system. It explores the psychology of why people — and states that enforce the death penalty — kill.   [ Click to watch ]

"The Ivory Game" (2016)

What it's about:  Richard Ladkani and Kief Davidson document the struggle to protect elephants. They follow armed law enforcement officers who fight poaching in Africa and try to infiltrate the black market for ivory in China .

Why you should see it: Persistently sad, thrilling, and beautifully shot, this film shines a light on one of the biggest criminal enterprises on the planet. It's tragic to watch these intelligent, social, majestic animals get slaughtered for their teeth, and this film shows the scope of the problem. It also offers a glimpse of what it would take to prevent these animals from being hunted to extinction.   [ Click to watch ]

"Cowspiracy" (2014)

What it's about:  Documentary filmmakers  Kip Andersen and  Keegan Kuhn reveal  the eye-opening environmental impacts that meat production has had on our planet — including global warming, habitat loss, pollution, and more.

Why you should see it : The US is one of the biggest consumers and producers of meat, yet most people rarely understand how their food choices tie in to larger problems like climate change, drought, habitat loss, and pollution. As meat consumption continues to rise, so too will its negative effects on the environment.  [ Click to watch ]

"National Parks Adventure" (2016)

What it's about:  There's something truly special about the idea that the greatest natural wonders and most beautiful places on the planet should be open to everyone and are too valuable for individuals to own or develop. In this film, produced for the 100th anniversary of that park system, Greg MacGillivray takes viewers to more than 30 of those parks, following climbers Conrad Anker, Max Lowe, and Rachel Pohl.

Why you should see it : There's one thing that this film does very well and that's show off just how beautiful these places are. Watch it on the biggest screen you can.  [ Click to watch ]

"Virunga" (2014)

What it's about: In the midst of a civil war and fight over the Congo's natural resources, a team of embattled and devoted park rangers risk their lives to protect eastern Congo's Virunga National Park from poachers and armed militia.

Why you should see it:  This film has a dynamic and impressive mix of investigative journalism and nature. It brings to light the troubles of protecting one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, which is home to the few remaining mountain gorillas in Africa's forgotten national park.   [ Click to watch ]

"Explained" (2018)

What it's about: Explained isn't purely a science show. Some topics are very scientific — there are episodes about gene editing, dieting, and marijuana. But others touch on more cultural phenomena like cricket and K-Pop. Whether the topic is scientific or not, the Vox producers have created a series full of excellent short documentaries, each approximately 15 minutes long.

Why you should see it:  No matter which subject an episode tackles, you'll come away 15 minutes later feeling much better informed. It's a well produced, interesting, and fun show with fantastic expert interviews.   [ Click to watch ]

"Valley Uprising" (2014)

What it's about:   When it comes to adventure that's connected to nature, there's little that compares to the sport of rock climbing. "Valley Uprising" is a historical — and fun — look at the evolution of the sport. The film focuses on the climbers that popularized Yosemite Valley, following a journey from the "Golden Age" climbers of the 1950s and 60s through the "Stonemasters" era in the 1970s all the way up to the climbers of the present, like Alex Honnold, who recently became the first to climb all the way up El Capitan without ropes.

Why you should see it:  The story of climbing and the people who helped make the sport what it is today is an amazing and entertaining one. There's a lot of nostalgia and human drama in the film — enough that some climbers have criticized the focus on personality and on some characters to the exclusion of less exciting but equally historically important ones — but none of that changes the fact that this is a fascinating tale. Plus, it's beautiful.   [ Click to watch ]

"Encounters at the End of the World" (2007)

What it's about:  Few places are as strange and alien as Antarctica, and iconoclastic director Werner Herzog provides quite the perspective on life at the bottom of the world. This film is a mix of travelogue, anthropological inquiry, and exploration of the unique environments and creatures of the southernmost continent.

Why you should see it: "Encounters at the End of the World" is both beautiful and fascinating. There are few filmmakers better equipped to ask why and how humans live in such an inhospitable environment. And while you learn about the serious environmental issues that are being confronted in Antarctica, it's also possible to sit back and just be stunned by the scenery.  [ Click to watch ]

"Making a Murderer" (2015)

What it's about:  This true crime series tells the story of Steven Avery, a man who spent 18 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of a crime .

Why you should see it: If you've avoided this captivating series so far because you weren't sure it would live up the hype, give it a shot. This twisting tale looks into how forensic science can go wrong or be wrongfully used — and asks serious questions about how our justice system treats the vulnerable, whether or not they are guilty.   [ Click to watch ]

"Food, Inc." (2008)

What it's about:  Director Robert Kenner offers a deep look into how the food industry has changed drastically since the 1950s, driven mostly by multinational corporations and fast food companies. The film was nominated for an Oscar, and for good reason.

Why you should see it: "Everyone eats food, but very few of us stop to consider where all of it comes from. And when you look as deeply and as widely as author Eric Schlosser did with 'Fast Food Nation,' which director Robert Kenner based his documentary on, the picture is shocking and often disturbing.

"There are some political leanings apparent in Food, Inc., and a few facts that seem suspect. But the larger picture — a desperate need for a better, healthier, more humane food system — remains firmly intact. If you eat food in the United States, you must watch this movie. It's as moving as it is informative." — Dave Mosher, science and tech correspondent .   [ Click to watch ]

"Into the Inferno" (2016)

What it's about:  Director Werner Herzog and  volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer scour the globe, examining the power of active volcanoes.

Why you should see it: This film delves not just into volcanoes themselves, but into the spiritual beliefs and practices that have developed around them. It's a look at how humanity interacts with dangerous natural phenomena — plus, there's some stunning imagery.   [ Click to watch ]

"Rats" (2016)

What it's about:  You guessed it — it's about the four-legged survivors that surround humanity and feed off our trash around the globe. 

Why you should see it : A horror flick in documentary form, "Super Size Me" director Morgan Spurlock's Discovery Channel documentary is based on  the Robert Sullivan book " Rats: Observations on the History & Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants . " It's a bit sensationalized, sure, but it's captivating. Business Insider's Jason Guerrasio writes that it's "one of Spurlock's best films in years" and that " Spurlock expands the deep dive into the rats that inhabit New York City and shows how the rodents are dealt with — and in some cases worshiped — around the world."  [ Click to watch ]

"The Farthest: Voyager in Space" (2017)

What it's about: In 1977, NASA launched the twin Voyager spacecraft to explore our solar system — and beyond. The trip gave us unprecedented looks at Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first object to leave our heliosphere and began its journey into interstellar space. The epic journey of these two probes continues, and they're still sending back data to tell us what it's like out there.

Why you should see it : If you're intrigued or inspired by the audacity of launching the first mission into interstellar space, you need to watch this. "The Farthest" documents the challenges and people involved in the remarkable effort to get as far away from Earth as possible — and to keep going.  [ Click to watch ]

Anything missing?

Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know by emailing [email protected] .

This is an updated version of a post originally by Julia Calderone.

Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.

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The 21 best science documentaries you should watch right now

By Simon Ings

25 February 2021

My Octopus Teacher

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

By 2010, the bluff, affable documentary-maker Craig Foster had reached the end of his tether. He had been making documentaries for 20 years. Successfully, too: he co-directed The Great Dance : A Hunter’s Story (2000), a seminal and multi-award-winning study of the indigenous San people in the Kalahari desert. Yet his usual energy had started to abandon him.

Rather than mope, Foster decided that he would dive, every day, in a cold, underwater kelp forest near his home in Cape Town, South Africa. It was on one such dive that he encountered a common octopus that was hiding from sharks. Watching behaviour so complex and mesmerising gave Foster an idea: for the next year, he visited the octopus and tracked her movements. Over time, the octopus responded, greeted him, even played with him, and so Foster began to map the common ground that exists between two wildly different forms of intelligence.

Mixing Foster’s footage with spectacular, iridescent camerawork from underwater specialist Roger Horrocks (responsible for some standout sequences in the BBC series Our Planet and Blue Planet II ), My Octopus Teacher won two categories at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, Best Science/Nature Documentary and Best Cinematography.

More than just another nature flick, it is a film about curiosity, play and trust . Foster’s close observation and emotional involvement lead him to make some jolly odd statements; humans and octopuses aren’t remotely like each other in any of the ways that he implies. But the film’s wider point – that sympathy and intelligence can bridge a gulf of evolutionary aeons – is much more interesting and, when you think about it, much more radical.

Night on Earth

Night on Earth (2020)

Plimsoll Productions, the producers of documentary series Hostile Planet , recruited virtually everyone who is anyone in the wildlife film-making community to reveal, over six energetic episodes, what the wild world gets up to while we sleep. Short on detail and heavy on hyperbole – narrator Samira Wiley talks about the night as though viewers had never stayed up past 9 pm – Night on Earth is nonetheless a genuine innovation, combining daytime and night-time footage to reveal, sometimes in unnerving ways, the behaviours of even familiar species. The Zimbabwe segment filmed by series producer Bill Markham, in which hyenas and lions chase down baby elephants, is a ghastly highlight.

Made up of 60 separate shoots over one year in 30 different countries, the show does much more than fill in the gaps left by the Planet Earth crew. It was created using new models of low-light devices that film in full colour and with razor-sharp clarity by moonlight. The treetops of Argentina are lit up with infrared light to capture the nocturnal lives of owl monkeys. Night on Earth ’s digital clean-up of regular night-vision footage has to be seen to be believed.

The show contains more than enough tales of daring to satisfy traditionalists. One cameraman discovered that Peruvian vampire bats, distracted from their pursuit of fur seal pups, are more than happy to snack on naturalists. Yet it isn’t all pretty pictures – along with the new kit comes a new way of thinking. An entire episode of this short series is devoted to wildlife in cities because, like it or not, that is where a lot of creatures live now – or try to.

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth (2020)

Hulu and Amazon Prime Video

Director Matt Wolf draws on an impressive archive of never-before-seen footage to recount the oft-told (and oft-misrepresented) tale of Biosphere 2 , the pride and joy of an ambitious experimental theatre troupe from San Francisco called the Theater of All Possibilities.

The experiment, masterminded by ebullient writer and ecologist John Allen, and bankrolled by billionaire Ed Bass, involved eight people entering a giant dome in Oracle, Arizona, on 26 September 1991 and locking the door behind them, to see if they could survive in an hermetically sealed, self-designed ecosystem. They emerged two years later, somewhat wiser, certainly thinner and extremely defensive about their experiment, conceived as a spectacular means of raising environmental awareness, and now mired in financial and scientific controversy.

Biosphere 2 was a system science research project that recreated Earth’s major climates – rainforests, deserts, plains, oceans, reefs – in miniature. The programme was never a cult: it was a naive but extremely productive experiment in ecosystem design. Biosphere 2 (without its live-in crew) is still doing science under its new owner, the University of Arizona.

In our era of biohackers and citizen scientists, the first biospherians look a lot less odd to us now than they must have looked when, in 1994, (and after a second mission), the project was effectively dismantled by its new boss Steve Bannon (later Donald Trump’s chief strategist).

Kooky and delightful as Wolf’s film is, Spaceship Earth also manages to capture the seriousness of intent behind a project too often written off, then and since, as a publicity stunt.

Feels Good Man (2020)

Microsoft Store, Apple Store and BBC iPlayer

Arthur Jones’s surreal, funny and ultimately devastating film is about his friend Matt Furie’s attempts to rein in his very own errant Pinocchio, Pepe the Frog.

Pepe started life as a hand-drawn cartoon character, one of four stoner students in Boy’s Club, Furie’s MySpace comic. Because he was easy to draw, he was quickly repurposed online by other people, and started turning up in posts from disaffected stoners across the US. This hardly seemed to matter at the time, more a case of a frazzled reptile talking to his base.

But in 2014, when popstar Katy Perry featured his green grin on her Twitter feed, some of Pepe’s fans started giving him KKK hoods and Hitler moustaches in an effort to frighten off the mainstream. Extremists on social networks Reddit and 4Chan got in on the action: here was a meme they could use, “feeling good” about everything from rape to Auschwitz, and all under cover of a supposed “joke”. Not long after, presidential hopeful Donald Trump briefly adopted Pepe as his online mascot and the Anti-Defamation League added the frog to its hate symbol register.

Feels Good Man , with its goofy animations and road-tripping – Furie frantically tries to redeem his creation however possible, fan by fan if he has to – is as disorientating and terrifying as the story it sets out to tell. The Sundance Film Festival bestowed Jones with a special jury award for emerging film-makers, and Lighthouse International Film Festival gave it the prize for Best Feature-Length Documentary.

The Social Dilemma

The Social Dilemma/Netflix

The Social Dilemma (2020)

Though it is unlikely to tell regular readers of New Scientist anything they didn’t know already, Jeff Orlowski’s docudrama is a superb piece of civic education, exploring the accidents, mistakes, good intentions and bad behaviours (both human and algorithmic) that have shaped our leading social media platforms. Orlowski, who has received Emmy awards for his ecological outings Chasing Ice and Chasing Coral , won the Impact Film Award at the Boulder International Film Festival and picked up an honourable mention at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival for his latest work. The Social Dilemma combines shockingly candid interviews with Silicon Valley insiders with the dramatised misadventures of a social media-addicted family.

Whether the dramatic sequences entertain or irritate you will probably come down to your familiarity with the material. Mad M en ‘s Vincent Kartheiser plays an AI controlling what is implied to be Facebook – recommending ever more extreme political videos and finally even gun advertisements to lonely teen Ben (Skyler Gisondo). Kartheiser, as usual, chews up the screen. Yet the part of Ben, handsomely written and performed, brings real moral urgency to a documentary that might otherwise have tipped into familiar “corporate confession” territory – memorably defined by tech policy expert Maria Farrell as “I was lost but now I’m found, please come to my TED Talk”. Sure enough, one of the film’s main subjects is TED darling Tristan Harris , a former design ethicist at Google who later co-founded the Center for Humane Technology.

There is no denying that an urgent injection of humanity is needed in this sector. At the moment, the only way social media platforms can make money is to change what we do, how we think and who we are to fit a client’s specifications. The Social Dilemma shows us, in painful detail, how they do it.

Into The Inferno

Into t he Inferno (2016)

In 1977, film-maker Werner Herzog rushed to the evacuated Caribbean island of Guadeloupe to record the island’s looming volcanic eruption in a short film, La Soufrière . Thirty years later, while filming Encounters at the End of the World in Antarctica , he met and befriended Clive Oppenheimer, a volcanologist at the University of Cambridge. Into t he Inferno brings these two experiences together, using familiarity and friendship to leaven a film that is ostensibly all about fire, disaster and looming death. No wonder it is such a good-natured and ultimately uplifting work.

Oppenheimer, who had an active role in making the film, provides the scientific context. He is particularly keen on the incomparably fierce eruption of Mount Toba in Indonesia 74,000 years ago, which some say may have almost wiped out humanity.

For all its stunning shots of erupting volcanoes, rivers of lava and pools of magma, Herzog’s film steers firmly into anthropological territory in an attempt to discover how communities in lands as different as Iceland, Ethiopia and North Korea not only survive, but thrive and find heightened meaning in living next door to death. In Vanuatu, for example, there is a legend of a supernatural US soldier called John Frum who will one day emerge from the Mount Yasur volcano on Tanna Island to spread his bounty. In North Korea, national lore has it that the country’s founder, Kim Il-sung, once lived in a log cabin at the foot of an active volcano, Mount Paektu. Armies of civilians now come to worship there.

Herzog’s great theme is how people hunt for meaning in the world to the point of obsession. Volcanoes are, it turns out, an ideal subject, one he handles with dramatic flare and a lot of charm.

Unnatural Selection

Unnatural Selection (2019)

According to Joe Egender, who co-created this genetic engineering series with Leeor Kaufman, Unnatural Selection began life around 2015 as a science fiction script. Over dinner, the writers realised that the material Egender was amassing was too complex for fiction – and barely believable anyway. How, they wondered, did they not already know that technologies existed that were set to transform not only their lives, but the very future of life on this planet?

Filmed between 2016 and 2018, the four-part documentary they made in response to this revelation is a breakneck tour, from malaria-ridden villages in Burkina Faso to fertility clinics in Ukraine. Unnatural Selection leads us through various forms of genetic engineering, taking in as many societal and environmental implications as there is time for.

The result isn’t exactly tidy. Without a narrator to guide us, we slide back and forth between CRISPR , gene editing, gene drives, gene therapy and genetic engineering as though they were all aspects of the same hard-to-grasp idea. One minute we are talking to Kevin Esvelt , a scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who wants to immunise the mice that infect ticks with Lyme disease; the next we are trying to wrap our heads around the twisted logic by which David Ishee, a Mississippi dog breeder, hopes to create green fluorescent mastiff puppies by adding green fluorescent protein-expressing E. coli to dog sperm.

Still, Unnatural Selection works very well indeed as a chronicle of the ambitions and struggles of scientists, doctors, patients, conservationists and biohackers as they seek to seize control of evolution. “The common thread between all the characters,” says Kaufman, “is that they’re in possession of tomorrow’s technology, but they’re stuck in the systems of today.”

Kiss The Ground

Kiss the Ground (2020)

One thing’s for sure: film-maker and climate activist Josh Tickell knows how to cause a stir. In 1997, he drove a van powered by used cooking oil across the US, capturing the attention of the world. For the next 10 years, he promoted personal sustainability via the college lecture circuit, and his first film, the documentary Fuel , was nominated for an Oscar in 2008.

The years haven’t abated his high-octane approach. His 2017 book, Kiss the Ground , is subtitled “How the food you eat can reverse climate change, heal your body & ultimately save our world”. His new documentary is co-directed with his wife, film-maker Rebecca Harrell Tickell, and brings the book’s central claim to the screen: that soil’s capacity to sequester carbon could be the key to reversing the effects of climate change.

Of course, every one-stop solution to a problem as complex and wicked as climate change needs its tyres kicking with great thoroughness. But the Tickells’ arguments, narrated by the ever-personable actor and activist Woody Harrelson, are cogent and well-evidenced. The film marshals epic footage shot on five continents, striking visuals from NASA and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stunning animation and the opinions of leading scientists, ecologists and experts, including Nobel laureates and members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Nor is climate the be-all and end-all of this film, by any stretch. If we regenerate Earth’s soils, the film argues, we can also replenish our water supply, keep species from going extinct and better feed the world.

A message this positive and inspiring is a shoo-in for shortlists. Sure enough, Kiss the Ground has already won more than two dozen international prizes, including Best Documentary and Best Picture at the London Independent Film Awards and Best Feature Documentary at the Venice Film Awards.

Challenger: The Final Flight

Public Domain/NASA/Netflix

Challenger: The Final Flight (2020)

On 28 January 1986, NASA’s space shuttle Challenger left Cape Canaveral in Florida on a satellite deployment mission. It was also, quite openly, a public relations flight: on board were the first African-American astronaut, Ronald McNair; first Asian astronaut, Ellison Onizuka; and teacher Christa McAuliffe, who was going to be the first private citizen in space.

Seventy-three seconds into the flight, hot gases spraying from one of the solid-fuel rocket boosters ruptured the main tank. Its bottom peeled away and massive amounts of liquid hydrogen spewed from the tank, creating a sudden forward thrust of more than 1000 tonnes. The whole assembly broke apart.

Challenger: The Final Flight pieces together archival material, news footage and interviews with relatives of the Challenger crew, as well as engineers and others involved with the space shuttle mission. The four-part series recaps the tragedy in excruciating detail, letting those closest to the disaster tell its story.

NASA had wanted to normalise the idea of space travel. Instead, it faced years of painful self-examination and reinvention . Directors Steven Leckart and Daniel Junge examine the systemic oversights that led to the Challenger disaster, and the cultural failings that saw NASA briefly toy with a cover-up.

More memorable, though, are the poignant testimonies of the crew’s families and the aching sense of opportunities lost, just as space was beginning to feel closer than ever before.

Steve Honisgbaum

Crip Camp (2020)

Writer-producers Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2020 for their story of Camp Jened, a free-spirited, Woodstock-like summer camp in the Catskill mountains of New York state that was designed for teens with disabilities.

Many who attended the camp in the early 1970s felt that it was the first time they were seen, heard and acknowledged as individuals. At Camp Jened, no one was stigmatised or made to feel like the odd one out. “It was so funky!” writer Denise Sherer Jacobson reminisces. “But it was utopia when we were there.”

“This camp changed the world,” says LeBrecht, who was born with spina bifida and began to attend Camp Jened when he was 14.

Combining interviews with archive material and news footage, Crip Camp describes how Camp Jened’s alumni, inspired by their experiences, set about fomenting an accessibility revolution . Judy Heumann, a camp counsellor who went on to become a leader of the disability rights movement, features prominently as the film draws a convincing line from the baseball games, folk singalongs and furtive clinches at Camp Jened to the eventual signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law in 1990.

Heumann, a polio survivor who served as a special adviser at the US Department of State under then-president Barack Obama, recalls: “This camp is where we had those conversations in the bunks late at night that made us realise, hey, there’s this civil rights movement going on around us, why aren’t we a part of it?”

The Pharmacist

The Pharmacist (2020)

One meeting with middle-aged Louisiana pharmacist Dan Schneider was all it took. Then and there, directors Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason set about building a four-part true-crime series around Schneider’s private investigations, first into his son’s death in a drug-related shooting in 1999 and then into the more than half a million deaths from drug overdoses in the US between 2000 and 2015.

On the one hand, basing a series around Schneider was a no-brainer. Fobbed off by the authorities, to whom his son was just another addicted casualty, Schneider had launched his own investigation into the murder, recording all his calls and even his private thoughts in the hope that one day he would present his evidence at trial. Schneider was an unexpectedly tough customer, stalking the neighbourhood, bombarding strangers with phone calls and badgering a woman into testifying even though it forced her into witness protection.

Schneider wrapped up his investigation. A year later, however, he began to notice people his son’s age picking up OxyContin prescriptions. His response was to pick up his car keys and tape recorder once more. Good for him: he spotted the opioid crisis before the rest of us. Here, though, the true-crime formula struggled to encompass all the issues involved. Schneider’s son’s killer, a poor black teenager, went to jail. Purdue Pharma , whose explosive growth in OxyContin sales could only come from overconsumption, made $35 billion in cumulative revenues by 2017.

Though it ends up asking more questions than it answers, The Pharmacist deploys Schneider’s tapes and documents to gripping effect, giving it a rare immediacy.

Amazon Studios

Human Flow (2017)

Apple TV and Amazon Prime

How do you depict the plight of more than 65 million people? That is the challenge Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei set himself, and the five awards that Human Flow received at the 2017 Venice Film Festival attest to his sometimes inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking success.

Sixty-five million: this is the number of people who were forced to flee their homes around the world in 2015 because of famine, climate change and war, in the greatest human displacement since the second world war . The current United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees figure for displaced persons tops 79.5 million.

Filming in 23 countries over the course of a year, Ai combines epic cinematography and haunting drone footage of destroyed cityscapes and vast oceans with personal interviews and interactions, sometimes grabbed on-the-fly using his own iPhone. The result is a film that, while never losing sight of the individuals involved, still manages to encompass the scale of the tragedy: a “human flow” indeed.

Nor is the flow of people the end of it. At least movement implies hope. Ai’s film reveals, however, that the refugees’ way of life is no longer a temporary phase; it is a permanent state of being. Entire generations are being born without vaccinations, without education and without any sense of being valued. If Human Flow is a film short on solutions, it is rich in the kind of empathy we need to understand what being a migrant is like in human terms.

Planet Earth II

Planet Earth II, Blue Planet II, Our Planet and Seven Worlds, One Planet

BBC iPlayer, Netflix, SkyGo

Watch the last few years’ major natural history television narrated by David Attenborough, and you will witness a remarkable change. Everyone’s favourite pre-watershed naturalist finally seems to have become angry about the state of the planet, and about our role in its decline. Planet Earth II was relatively upbeat about the state of the world, although its last few minutes contained a homily about various “problems”. Blue Planet II was more forthright, declaring a war on ocean plastics that has gathered much pace and enthusiasm since the show first aired in 2017.

Two years later, and Seven Worlds, One Planet saw storms generated by global anthropogenic climate change blow albatross chicks out of their nests. At last the Natural History Unit’s betters at the BBC had abandoned their pursuit of a specious “balance” around the climate change emergency, and were letting their filmmakers, and Attenborough, tell the unvarnished truth about the natural world – or what was left of it .

But they had been gazumped: Netflix had already recruited the same community of producers, filmmakers and naturalists to produce their own series, Our Planet. This, surely is what the BBC should have been making years ago. It is expensive, visually ravishing and absolutely unsparing in its analysis of where the world is headed .

Rhea Woltman, one of the Mercury 13

From Amelia Earhart to Tiny Broadwick, women feature prominently in histories of pioneering aviation. And when William Randolph Lovelace invited women pilots into his privately funded research project  in the early 1960s, he got the best of the best.

Lovelace was the doctor who developed the physical and psychological tests used to select candidates for space. He had no doubts that women were capable of space flight, and he wasn’t alone. Russia sent the first woman – Valentina Tereshkova – into space in 1963.

In the US, however, NASA turned to military test pilots, who were all male, for its Apollo programme . Speaking before Congress in 1962, some of Lovelace’s women argued that they were prevented from joining on sexual discrimination grounds. Their case was thrown out.

The  Mercury 13 women had the right stuff, and could have have flown, and didn’t. Yet their determination to make the most of their lot is inspiring. One taught herself aerobatics. One co-founded the National Organization of Women. And several – a nice irony – went on to have successful careers as test pilots.

Bryan Fogel, Icarus

The trick of good documentary making is knowing when the story you set out to tell isn’t half as good as the story that just landed in your lap.

Icarus director Bryan Fogel is a keen amateur cyclist and was annoyed by the way professional racer Lance Armstrong built his career on the use of performance-enhancing substances . So Fogel decided he’d attempt to cheat his way to some trophies – and make a whistleblowing documentary about the experience.

To do this properly, Fogel needed expert help, and that’s how he fell in with Grigory Rodchenkov, a pillar of Russia’s anti-doping programme and, it turns out, a key player in a decades-long, state-sponsored attempt to skirt the rules.

Once this is exposed, Russia is partly banned from the 2016 Summer Olympics (and banned altogether from the 2018 Winter Olympics) and Rodchenkov, turned whistleblower, flees to the US – largely thanks to Fogel.

Fogel never did cheat his way to that cycling trophy, but I don’t imagine he’s too upset: Icarus won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.

The Planets

BBC iPlayer

Over five visually dazzling episodes, Brian Cox guides the viewer through our solar system’s 4.5-billion-year history of collisions, near misses and bizarre planetary harmonics, a dish presented on a bed of fiendish geometry, and smothered in a rich CGI sauce.

Once you get your breath back, I defy you not to rewatch The Planets immediately. The science is strong and the special effects are carefully thought through.

Our solar system’s impression of clockwork stability is an illusion. Every planet has been on an incredible journey, its fate, position and even its composition dependent on the chaotic interaction of unimaginably huge forces. Cox’s delivery is a bit over-seasoned for some tastes, but in this series I think it helps that he personifies his rocky, gassy protagonists wherever he can. Mercury, “an embryo ripped from its promising position before it could mature”, will never seem the same again.

Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy

Imagine making a 65mm motion picture cinema documentary about the first moon landing – and then giving up, and filing the whole thing in a drawer. You’d be kicking yourself now. Look what Todd Douglas Miller has made of your footage! He’s spliced it with selections from 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio and reams more restored original film to make Apollo 11 . Running  at just one and a half hours in length, this is easily the richest human document ever made of our first extra-terrestrial adventure.

How did Miller do it? For a start, he trusted his sources. If he found a spectacular or informative shot, he’d let it run at length. If an astronaut or someone in the control centre had something useful to say, he’d let them say it, without interruption, without narration, without false drama.

That still gave him plenty to do. Editing together shots of the spectators at the rocket’s launch, he assembles a snapshot of 1960’s America that is at once intimate and epic. Matt Morton’s thumping electronic score, constructed on a period Moog synthesizer, holds everything together: the music is an actor in the unfolding drama, for sure, but it never feels tacked on. The film was nominated for five Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

The Ivory Game

Richard Ladkani/Netflix

Earth League International and its founder Andrea Crosta are the hero-detectives of this true-life thriller, which follows the trade in elephant tusks from Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia to Hong Kong, Vietnam and China.

Directors Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani have a penchant for drone shots of 4X4s speeding across a flat landscape. (Ladkani included several similar shots in one of our favourite documentaries of 2019, Sea of Shadows . )

In the five years before 2016, 150,000 elephants were killed for their ivory . At the same time, the likelihood of the elephants’ extinction was driving up the price of their ivory, increasing the threat to the remaining herds.

Since the film was released, there has been a little bit of good news. China banned the ivory trade at the end of 2017, and polls suggest Chinese citizens are losing interest in ivory, both as a traditional medicine and as a luxury good . Still, the elephants are far from safe, and this urgent, articulate film remains as topical as ever.

How much do you want to know about your baby? Netflix’s expensive, gripping delightful documentary series follows 15 families from around the world through the first full year of their new baby’s life . It packs in solid science along with all that adorable gurgling and bouncing. Each episode follows a different part of the process, such as bonding, food, sleep and speech.

Take Your Pills

Amphetamine was first sold to the public in 1932, in the form of a decongestant inhaler. Five years later,  Time magazine was already warning that students were using “pep pills” to get them through their coursework. Things are now far more advanced .

From schools to workplaces, people seem to be turning to pills to give them an edge. Director Alison Klayman isn’t bothered about the drugs themselves, however, so much as what they say about a society in which success is so hard to come by that drug-taking has become a career choice .

Magnolia Pictures

Working back from the death of the SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010, Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s BAFTA-nominated documentary tells the story of Tilikum, a 5500-kilogram bull orca apparently badly affected by life as a marine-park attraction.

In the wild, there are no recorded cases of orcas killing people, but Tilikum has killed three. The more we learn about the complex social lives of these creatures, the more we come to appreciate how much we have still to learn. We certainly shouldn’t be keeping them in solitary confinement .

Blackfish has been watched over 60 million times, sparking the current trend in investigative nature documentaries. It remains one of the best, and darkest, of its genre. It was nominated for the  BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.

Article amended on 18 May 2020

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‘New Amsterdam,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ & More Bingeworthy Medical Shows on Netflix

Whether we’re casually flipping through channels or stealing quick glances at a waiting room TV, there’s just something about medical dramas that always pulls us in. Perhaps it’s the thrill of watching skilled medics race against time to deal with challenging cases, or maybe it’s the layers of drama surrounding these doctors’ personal lives. Either way, we simply can’t resist a good medical series that blends drama with mystery and romance . If you’ve also been craving similar content, then allow us to introduce nine binge-worthy medical shows on Netflix, from Grey’s Anatomy to Call the Midwife .

9 Shows Like Grey’s Anatomy to Add to Your Streaming Queue

1. New Amsterdam

• Cast: Ryan Eggold, Jocko Sims, Janet Montgomery

Some of the doctors are put off by the always-charming Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold), who joins the team as the new medical director. He’s determined to reconfigure the hospital’s outdated hierarchy, no matter the costs.

2. Call the Midwife

• Cast: Jessica Raine, Miranda Hart, Helen George, Bryony Hannah, Laura Main

Looking for a poignant period drama with feminist themes? Well, look no further. The series tells the story of a group of midwives who work in the poor East End of London during the ‘50s and ‘60s. Prepare to get emotional.

3. Grey’s Anatomy

• Cast: Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, Patrick Dempsey

ER meets Sex and the City in this Emmy-winning series. It chronicles the lives of several residents and interns at Seattle Grace Hospital (later named Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital) as they’re groomed to become skilled doctors.

4. Live Up to Your Name

• Cast: Moon Ga-young, Kim Myung-gon, Um Hyo-sup, Ahn Suk-hwan

Not only does it have the elements of a solid medical drama, but it also involves time travel . Heo Im (Nam-gil) is a famous doctor from the Joseon Dynasty who’s sentenced to jail after failing to properly treat the king for his migraines. But when Heo tries to escape, he accidentally time travels to modern-day South Korea and connects with the equally talented surgeon, Choi Yeon-kyung (Ah-joong).

• Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Cho Seung-woo, Won Jin-ah, Lee Kyu-hyung

Trouble ensues at a university hospital when the director dies of a heart attack and his newly-appointed replacement clashes with staff. Nuanced characters, swoon-worthy romances and dramatic plotlines abound in this enticing medical drama.

6. Chocolate

• Cast: Yoon Kye-sang, Ha Ji-won, Jang Seung-jo, Teo Yoo

This feel-good drama follows Lee Kang, a neurosurgeon who once had dreams of becoming a chef. His life takes an interesting turn, however, when he reunites with Moon Cha Young—the famous chef that he inspired several years ago.

7. Hospital Playlist

• Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, Jeon Mi-do

This show follows a tight-knit group of middle-aged medics as they try to navigate their stressful jobs and personal challenges. Between the chemistry of the main cast and the comedic moments, this Korean drama is a must-watch.

8. Medical Police

• Cast: Erinn Hayes, Rob Huebel, Malin Åkerman, Sarayu Rao

A spin-off of the parody series, Children’s Hospital , this equally intriguing parody follows two doctors who are tasked with finding a cure to a threatening virus. But in the process, they uncover a big conspiracy. Though it mainly pokes fun at the spy genre, it’s packed with witty humor and offers a pretty refreshing take on medical dramas.

• Cast: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon, Jon Jon Briones

Ever wondered about how Nurse Ratched became the cruel asylum nurse we all know from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest ? This dark psychological thriller explores just that. Set before the film, Ratched reveals the origin story of Mildred Ratched (Paulson) who, while a dedicated nurse on the surface, has much darker motives for working at Lucia State Hospital.

Is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Accurate? We Asked Medical Experts to Weigh in

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42 STEM Learning Shows On Netflix To Supplement Your Science Curriculum

Amy thetford.

Do your kids enjoy watching TV? 

There’s nothing better than snuggling up on the couch with snacks and blankets and turning on a good movie with your family — even better when you can count it as a school lesson.

When you watch a show that promotes STEM learning — science, technology, engineering, and math — you can most definitely count that time towards school hours (if you’re in a state that requires you to keep track of that information). 

That’s a win all around!

Why Watch STEM Shows With Your Kids

When you sit down to watch TV in the evenings, you may scoff at the idea of turning on something educational. After all, didn’t you spend all day homeschooling your kids?

Here’s the deal. School doesn’t need to happen between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Your child doesn’t need to sit behind a desk. And you definitely don’t need to limit your learning to textbooks and worksheets.

Learning happens all the time. If you open your mind to the possibility that screen time can be more than recreational, you’ll see that technology is an incredible teaching tool.

Luckily, there are so many streaming services available now that you can pull up a show on any topic with just a few taps on your remote or smart device. 

Netflix has a variety of shows you and your kids can watch together and learn about STEM topics. 

The best part is that they’ve got something for every age — from preschoolers to elementary-age to tweens and teens. 

Check out our list of 42 STEM shows on Netflix below.

42 STEM Shows On Netflix For Curious Kids Of Every Age

• Emily’s Wonder Lab
• Ada Twist, Scientist
• The Magic School Bus
• The Magic School Bus Rides Again
• The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Kids In Space
• The Magic School Bus Rides Again: In The Zone
• Ask the Storybots
• A Storybots Space Adventure
• Our Planet: Behind The Scenes
• Number Blocks
• Absurd Planet
• Life In Color With David Attenborough
• A Life On Our Planet
• Tiny Creatures
• Izzy’s Koala World
• Growing Up Wild
• Night On Earth
• Night On Earth: Shot In The Dark
• Project MC²
• You Vs. Wild
• You Vs. Wild: Out Cold
• Animals on the Loose: A You Vs. Wild Movie
• My Octopus Teacher
• The Inbestigators
• The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That
• Down To Earth With Zac Efron
• Penguin Town
• 72 Cutest Animals
• Disney Nature: Ghost Of The Mountains
• Disney Nature: Expedition China
• If I Were An Animal...
• The Universe: Ancient Mysteries Solved
• Untamed Romania
• The Speed Cubers
• Osmosis Jones
• Baking Impossible
• Dancing With The Birds
• Our Great National Parks
• Puff: Wonders Of The Reef

You don’t need to pay a premium for cable to get quality entertainment and educational content anymore. Streaming services cost only a fraction of what traditional cable companies charge, and with so many choices available, you’ll never run out of new shows to watch. 

Netflix pioneered the streaming trend and, as you can see from the round-up of STEM shows shared above, they’re still bringing their A-game. Bookmark this list and refer back to it when you need some ideas for what to watch with the kids. 

What’s your favorite streaming service? Sound off in the comments below!

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Netflix's Denzel Washington Replacement Makes Upcoming Remake Of His 2004 Thriller Way More Exciting

Kirk calls doctor mccoy “bones” in star trek - but why, star trek created a new riker & it’s genius.

Netflix has a such wealthy bounty of procedural content to choose from that it may get overwhelming for some viewers when it comes to selecting which ones to watch. From long-running zombie detective shows to British limited series, there is a very wide variety in Netflix's catalog.

RELATED:  10 Best Netflix Movies Released In 2021 (So Far), According To IMDb

Viewers should not settle for anything but the best of these shows, and IMDb viewers have rated each of them to help audiences better discern which to start with. These are the very highest-rated titles under Netflix's "Procedural Television Shows" search query.

iZombie - 7.8

iZombie   ran on the CW for five seasons, depicting the life of an undead coroner's assistant as she solved crimes through her strange supernatural power that allowed her to read the memories of the deceased after consuming them--though she takes on quirky bits of those brains' personalities as well.

The series is framed after the usual procedural, with a fun supernatural twist. Starring Rose McIver in the main role of Olivia Moore, the show received several accolades during its run, as well as numerous nominations otherwise. iZombie can be viewed in its entirety on Netflix's platform.

The Blacklist - 8.0

Starring the eerily suave James Spader,  The Blacklist   depicts the exploits of a Navy officer turned criminal turned back to the law in the form of an FBI informant. In order to gain immunity for his crimes, Spader's character offers to turn over his list of the most dangerous criminals in the world, and then works with the FBI to track them down and bring them to justice.

The Blacklist  is  a great watch for fans of spy thrillers , and a lengthy one for viewers looking for a long-term binge. The series is still running, with the ninth season premiering on NBC on October 21st, 2021, but viewers can use Netflix to catch up on the first eight.

Lucifer - 8.1

Based on a character initially appearing in DC Comic books,  Lucifer  follows the life of Tom Ellis's Lucifer Morningstar. The character is intended to be the DC universe's version of the devil who leaves Hell behind in favor of running a nightclub in Los Angeles.

Lucifer  initially ran on FOX for three seasons before being canceled and eventually picked up for its final three seasons on Netflix. Fans might also be interested to know that the CW's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" event confirmed the series as part of the Arrowverse , taking place on Earth-666.

Criminal Minds - 8.1

Criminal Minds   is an indisputable staple of the genre. Beginning in 2005, the series spawned three spinoffs, though each was fairly short-lived.  Criminal Minds  followed FBI criminal profilers as they solved crimes-of-the-week and navigated life in their downtime.

RELATED:  After Criminal Minds - What The Main Actors Are Doing Now

The series has proved so popular that, in addition to the many spinoffs and docuseries, a revival was reportedly greenlit by Paramount+, just one year after the series finale, though news on that front has been scarce. Audiences can catch up on 12 of the show's 15 seasons on Netflix.

Unbelievable - 8.4

A Netflix original miniseries,  Unbelievable  has a stand-out cast led by Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, and Kaitlyn Dever. The series is based on a horrific string of serial sexual assaults and rapes in the Washington and Colorado areas.

RELATED: 5 Things Netflix's Unbelievable Based On The True Story (& 5 Things They Changed)

Unbelievable  is only eight episodes long, making it a quick watch for viewers on the go. It proves to be a prestigious watch too, as the series was nominated for numerous awards upon its release, winning a Peabody Entertainment award and an Outstanding Acting Award for Collette.

Broadchurch - 8.4

Broadchurch   is a British crime drama that ran for three series on ITV. The series is notable for many reasons, including starring not one but  two  actors who portrayed the Doctor on  Doctor Who (David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker), as well as being created by current  Doctor Who  showrunner Chris Chibnall.

The series follows Tennant's character Alec Hardy, and his partner Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) as they investigate grisly crimes, typically one main crime per series. The show was originally envisioned as a trilogy and is therefore not expected to return for a fourth series.

Supernatural - 8.4

Supernatural  is yet another of the immensely popular procedurals with an otherworldly twist. The show follows Sam and Dean Winchester, brothers who fight monsters-of-the-week, including demons, hellhounds, angels, and plenty more.

The longest-running CW series of all time, there are a staggering 15 seasons in all, each of which is available to stream at anyone's leisure on Netflix. Additionally, now is a perfect time for viewers to catch up on the original series, with a prequel venture titled  The Winchesters  in development for the CW.

Delhi Crime - 8.5

If audiences are looking for something from the international market, then Delhi Crime  is a great place to start. Based on disturbing true events, the show follows the Deputy Commissioner of Police as she struggles to bring the perpetrators of a heinous crime to justice.

RELATED: 13 Best Foreign Series To Watch On Netflix, According To Rotten Tomatoes

The first season of  Delhi Crime  consisted of seven episodes and was lauded by critics, becoming the first Indian series to be awarded the title of "Outstanding Drama Series" in the International Emmys in 2020. Its success has garnered a second season, which is currently in development.

Representing the Australian market is  Rake,  a series that ran from 2010 until 2018, over the span of five seasons. The series stars Richard Roxburgh as Cleaver Greene, a detective with a capacity of intelligence that is only rivaled by his capacity for self-destruction.

The series is considered to be one of Australia's best offerings on Netflix , and even garnered an American remake starring Greg Kinnear in 2014. Unfortunately, the remake was not as well-received as the original, only premiering 13 episodes before its cancellation.

Mindhunter - 8.6

Mindhunter   revolves around the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit and the agents therein as they interview some of the worst killers to ever walk the planet in an attempt to understand how their minds work. The series involves psychoanalyses of real serial killers as it delves through the late '70s and early '80s criminal scene.

The show's two seasons have garnered wide critical praise for their production and their cast, which includes Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Anna Torv. Though a third season is currently on indefinite hold, there is always a chance that the series will return to continue the BSU's exploits.

NEXT:  15 Best Shows Like Mindhunter

Full Cast of Unlocked: A Jail Experiment Netflix: Meet the People & Inmates In New Reality Series (Photos)

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment gives an overview of what prison life is really like in the new Netflix docuseries. 

The eight-part series explores an unprecedented experiment where unit cells are unlocked for six weeks to allow detainees to create a sense of community within the confines of prison. 

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment premiered on Netflix on April 10. 

Every Main Cast Member of Unlocked: A Jail Experiment

Arkansas sheriff eric higgins.

Sheriff Eric Higgins serves as the man behind the idea of transforming Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility in Little Rock, Arkansas into a community anchored by the detainees. 

The goal of this endeavor is to find out whether giving detainees more autonomy and responsibility would lead to a peaceful jail community. 

Speaking with TUDUM , Higgins revealed that they talked to everyone involved about all the possibilities and the expected behavior of the inmates, noting, "We didn't automatically open the doors:"

"We talked to them about the possibilities, and about behavior. We gave them a list of responsibilities and [made] personnel available to them to ask more detailed questions [before filming began]."

Tiny, whose real name is Krisna Pino Clarke, is one of the inmates of the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. 

Tiny's nickname comes from the fact that he's the smallest person (5'3) in any crew he's in. He was charged with aggravated robbery and 1st-degree robbery. 

Having been in and out of jail since 19 years old, Tiny admitted that being locked up in Pulaski has been hard because they were only given one hour of free time every day, which is why tensions were always rising. 

Chief Hendricks

Chief Hendricks runs the sheriff office's detention section says in the confessional that he was a "little bit concerned" about Chief Higgins' plan due to the serious nature of the cases of the inmates. 

Capt. Calvin

One of the attendees of the meeting before opening the jail doors of the detention center is Captain Calvin. 

She said that the inmates need several pod bosses if the goal is to make a peaceful community set within the confines of the detention center, noting, "Somebody is [going to] take control."

Lt. Freeman

Lieutenant Freeman, another attendee, suggested that they should have makeshift shanks since the deputies would be outside and the detainees would be left alone. 

Freeman pointed out that the shanks are needed "to kind of keep them on their toes." Similar to Hendricks, he appears to be not a fan of what Chief Higgins is trying to do with the inmates: 

"It's kind of scary. They could create some type of riot situation."

28-year-old Eastside (John McCallister) is another inmate taking part in the experiment. He has been in jail for 14 times ever since he was 19 years old. 

He was charged with possession of drugs with a firearm. The Nebraska native said in the confessional that he loves the "adrenaline-rush high, knowing you could get caught."

Randy Randall

Randy Randall, 46, is the assigned cleanup inmate responsible for helping the deputy to make sure that everything is tidy in the detention center. 

Randall works hard to run over the trays, wash the tables, and get the laundry on Saturdays. 

He was charged with domestic assault and possession of drugs and he was in jail for nine times. 

He supports what Chief Higgins is trying to do and he wants his fellow inmates to feel the same. Randall, the de facto leader of the group, is the peacemaker of the group, pointing out that he does not like confrontations.

Deputy Wainwright

Deputy Wainwright is the one who assigned Randy Randall as the cleanup guy of the H unit in Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. She trusts Randy to do the right thing since he makes her job easy inside the facility. 

She also gave an overview of how cleanup works in the H unit. 

Tyler is one of the inmates who made a scene in Episode 1 after disrespecting Deputy Wainwright over an argument about what not to do with leftovers. 

The fact that Tyler disrespected Wainwright in front of everybody didn't sit well with Randall, and this is why he called him out publicly about his misdeeds.

Tyler also doesn't like the idea that another inmate is telling him what to do, citing the fact that "it pushes [his] buttons."

William Lovelace

One of the inmates who confronted Chief Higgins during the initial announcement of his experiment is William Lovelace. 

Lovelace said that Higgins should focus on programs that help people get out of jail instead of being comfortable in jail. 

He mentioned that he doesn't want to be inside and be pacified. Instead, he wants go to back to his family and start fresh.

Higgins responded by saying that the experiment's ultimate goal is to do just that. 

Crooks has mixed reactions over what Chief Higgins is trying to, telling the confessional, "There's no way that you can possibly let criminals govern theirselves."

Parkinson is happy with what Chief Higgins is trying to do for the H unit, with him saying that it's about time that their situation gets acknowledged. 

He mentioned that he'll believe it will work once he sees that it will not turn into chaos. 

Once the older generation of inmates try to take the charge in building a community, Parkinson appears to be not a fan of this move since he believes that the younger ones need to serve as leaders. 

Don Don thinks that he can handle the fact that the guards are outside. 

However, he believes that it will take one person to mess all of it up for the inmates. 

Mayham (Mason Abraham) is a firm believer that the experiment will work if his fellow inmates follow the basic rules and don't start petty fights. 

Despite that, he is not a fan of older guys leading the unit as opposed to younger ones.

Mayham,21, was charged with capital murder. He hopes to get out of prison so that he can be reunited with his daughter.

Part of Randy's inner circle is his fellow inmate, Squirrel. Despite being hot headed, Squirrel only wants to be respected by his peers inside the unit and fix everyone's problems. 

Randy wants Squirrel to align himself with his plan to build a sensible community within the confines of the prison, and it starts by voting fellow inmates to act as leaders during the experiment. 

David Miller

David Miller is a former nightshift manager at Wingstop who was charged with domestic battery. 

The other inmates, such as Crooks and Ty, is annoyed by some of David's antics and hurtful jokes inside the unit. Ty even described him as "a fucking alien from a different planet."

Wutzke, one of the older generations in the unit, thinks that the experiment will work if everyone will simply try to get along. 

If not, then "you get your ass whooped" and a brawl will begin. 

Lieutenant Atwood 

Lieutenant Atwood is one of the deputies at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility who wants to keep the inmates in check despite the freedom given to them. 

In Episode 3, Atwood, alongside Lt. Freeman, pays a surprise visit inside the H Unit to remind them that they can see everything outside and warns them not to do some hidden brawls inside the cells.

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment is now streaming on Netflix.

Read more about other Netflix shows:

What Jennifer Did Netflix Cast: Meet the Real People In New Documentary (Photos)

Yuba County Five Updates: Is the Case Solved In 2024? Netflix's Unexplained Mystery Speculation

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The 50 Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now

New shows come to the streaming giant all the time — too many to ever watch them all. We’re here to help.

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By Noel Murray

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Netflix adds original programming at such a steady clip that it can be hard to keep up with which of its dramas, comedies and reality shows are must-sees. And that’s not including all the TV series Netflix picks up from broadcast and cable networks. Below is our regularly updated guide to the 50 best shows on Netflix in the United States. Each recommendation comes with a secondary pick, too, for 100 suggestions in all. (Note: Netflix sometimes removes titles without notice.)

We also have lists of the best movies on Netflix , Max and Amazon Prime Video , along with the best TV and movies on Hulu and Disney+

‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ (2024)

The documentary producer and director Greg Whiteley covered college football players hoping to go pro in the Netflix series “Last Chance U” and college cheerleaders competing at an elite level in “Cheer.” Now he and his team have combined those premises in “America’s Sweethearts,” a documentary series that goes behind the scenes of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, showing what it takes to make the squad and do the job. As always, Whitely and company combine their subjects’ involving personal stories with some intimate and dynamic sports footage. Our critic said , “Charismatic cheerleaders make for bingeable entertainment.” (The same creative team made “ Wrestlers ,” another intimate and artful look at talented athletes who put on a good show.) Watch it on Netflix

‘Lost’ (2004-10)

In 2004 — 20 years ago — ABC debuted the science-fiction adventure series “Lost,” beginning with a fantastic pilot episode in which a seemingly random group of airline passengers crash-lands on a mystical island. In the decades since, the show’s reputation has waxed and waned; although these days its rep is on an upswing, as old fans and new get drawn into the mind-bending puzzles, memorable characters, big-budget polish and impressive narrative scope that makes “Lost” so entertaining. Our critic wrote , “Behind all the suspense and scary music, ‘Lost’ shows traces of sly humor — and that is a rare and valuable thing on a network drama.” (The popular science-fiction and horror pastiche “ Stranger Things ” is one of the many series influenced by the mysteries and character-building of “Lost.”) Watch it on Netflix

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The Best Teen Shows On Netflix, Ranked

Looking for the best teen shows on Netflix? Whether you’re into supernatural adventures, dramatic twists, or heartfelt coming-of-age stories, Netflix has a range of teen shows that cater to every taste. These shows capture the highs and lows of teenage life, making them perfect for binge-watching.

Take Stranger Things , for example. This sci-fi thriller packs in mystery, adventure, and nostalgia, making it a fan favorite. Then there's Outer Banks , a show that offers a mix of treasure hunts and teenage drama set against a stunning coastal backdrop. And you can't forget Never Have I Ever , a coming-of-age comedy that perfectly captures the chaotic, yet relatable, journey through high school. Each of these shows brings something unique to the table, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Now it's time to share your opinion. Who do you think delivers the most binge-worthy experience among the best teen shows on Netflix? Scroll through our list and vote for your favorites. Your votes will help determine which shows deserve the top spots. Join the conversation and let others know which teen shows are worth their time. Your opinion matters in shaping the ultimate teen show lineup.

Stranger Things

• Premiered : July 15, 2016

Is Stranger Things Worth Your Time?

Outer Banks

• Premiered : April 15, 2020

Is Outer Banks Worth Your Time?

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Never Have I Ever

• Premiered : April 27, 2020

Is Never Have I Ever Worth Your Time?

• # 17 of 686 on The 500+ Best Current Shows On Netflix
• # 111 of 185 on The Best Newer TV Shows The Whole Family Can Enjoy
• # 186 of 1,076 on The 250+ Best Streaming Shows Of The Last Few Years

The Society

• Premiered : May 10, 2019

Is The Society Worth Your Time?

• # 122 of 686 on The 500+ Best Current Shows On Netflix
• # 193 of 1,076 on The 250+ Best Streaming Shows Of The Last Few Years
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The Umbrella Academy

• Premiered : February 15, 2019

Is The Umbrella Academy Worth Your Time?

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• # 12 of 709 on The 600+ Best TV Shows Of The Last 5 Years

Ginny & Georgia

• Premiered : February 24, 2021

Is Ginny & Georgia Worth Your Time?

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Top Ten Times TV Shows Got Experimental

Given the sheer volume of material that television so often demands, it can be very easy for a show to get stale before its time. That’s why, aside from just keeping the quality of the material up to a high standard, writers will often try to keep things interesting by experimenting with the form, creating special episodes that are immediately able to stand out from the pack. And as we’ll see in this list, this can be achieved in a variety of ways—be it structure, form, subject material, or filming techniques, just to name a few.

So with that in mind, here are ten of what I feel are the best times your favorite TV shows got experimental. Oh, be warned, there are spoilers ahead!

Related: 10 Episodes That Were Banned From Television [Videos—Seizure Warning]

10 Buffy the Vampire Slayer – “The Body”

Joss Whedon’s magnus opus could almost fill up this entire list itself, what with him dipping into silent horror in the critically acclaimed “Hush” or the musical genre in the equally as beloved “Once More With Feeling.” That said, there’s perhaps no better example of the show experimenting with the form than how it explored the grief that comes with the death of a loved one in season five’s “The Body.”

During this spectacular hour of television, we would get to see each character deal with Joyce Summer’s passing, with reactions ranging from Willow’s deflection of the issue in favor of her choice of clothing to Anya’s inability to understand the full extent of human mortality. And when Buffy’s calls her mother the body for the first time, and it all finally hits home for her, it’s hard not to feel the heartbreak she’s going through at that moment, especially as the starkness of the entire episode is highlighted by the distinct lack of music or any real antagonist other than death itself. [1]

9 Seinfeld – “The Betrayal”

Seinfeld really was a game-changer for sitcoms in the ‘90s. By this point, the genre had been very much rooted in maintaining the same status quo of middle-of-the-road comedy for decades. However, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld seemed intent on forging new paths, creating groundbreaking episodes of TV, like season two’s “The Chinese Restaurant” or season four’s “The Contest.” But it wouldn’t be until season nine’s “The Betrayal” that they dared to try something as bold as to do an episode in reverse.

Yes, here we would get to see things begin with the final scene of Jerry setting up George with an old flame named Nina, then watch things fall apart from there as we travel back in time toward the beginning. And despite the whole thing, which was inspired by a Harold Pinter play of the same name, ending up working out great, it was actually considered a little too out there by some fans at the time. Many of them even complained about its unconventional structure and went as far as creating forward version edits that would later be posted online. [2]

8 BoJack Horseman – “Fish Out of Water”

BoJack Horseman started out as a relatively standard adult animated comedy show reminiscent of others of the era like Bobs Burgers or Archer . Toward the end of season one, though, it began to undergo a change that would see it become more of a mediation on depression, with each character going through their own struggles with this as the show progressed.

And of course, as the lead character, BoJack would be no stranger to this. It was something that came to the forefront during the excellent season three episode “Fish Out of Water,” where, as a result of him spending the proceedings attending an underwater movie festival to promote his Secretariat biopic, things would play out like a silent movie. He tries and fails to apologize to the former director of the movie who he had gotten fired, with the whole thing from there carrying on like a Chaplin movie and ending in a truly classic gag. [3]

7 The Sopranos – “The Test Dream”

You could argue that David Chase’s The Sopranos is the most game-changing show in TV history, given that it’s largely been responsible for the birth of modern prestige television. And during its six-season run, it would be no stranger to pushing the boat out further than anyone else with its often shocking storylines and incredibly well-drawn characters.

In terms of experimenting with the form, though, nothing comes close to the season five episode “The Test Dream,” during which a full half of the episode plays out as an extended dream sequence. And while the show had done dream sequences before, it was never on this large of a scale. Over the course of twenty minutes, we got to take a Freudian deep dive into the psyche of the show’s flawed protagonist. This not only allowed a whole host of dead characters to briefly return but also let Tony come to terms with the fact that he was going to have to kill his own blood in the near future. [4]

6 The Simpsons – “Behind the Laughter”

While generally regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, The Simpsons has often played out like a mostly traditional sitcom in terms of its structure, usually functioning with an A and B plot working alongside each other to bring the laughs. That said, they haven’t been afraid to break out of this mold from time to time. Perhaps no example of this was more noticeable than season twenty-two’s “Behind the Laughter.”

Here the whole thing would serve as an extended parody of the VH1 Behind the Music series as we got to see the cast of characters talk about the difficulties of working on the show and how it affected their relationships with each other. And so good did the whole thing end up being that when asked in a later interview about what he thought could serve as a fitting finale for the series, showrunner Al Jean singled out this episode specifically as one of the best candidates. [5]

5 Community – “Remedial Chaos Theory”

Community is another show that played around with the form so much that it could almost fill up this list itself. And while there are many examples of this we could have chosen here, such as season one’s “Modern Warfare” or season two’s “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas,” we think season three’s “Remedial Chaos Theory” marks the best time that the Community gang got experimental.

Here, over a game of Yahtzee with the six friends, we would get to see each new dice roll cause a timeline of possibilities to branch off from it. The darkest among them would see Annie accidentally shoot Piece in the leg, causing Britta to drop her joint and set fire to the apartment. And so popular did this episode and this particular timeline end up being, in fact, it would return to invade the main one in the season four finale, “Advanced Introduction to Finality.” [6]

4 The Haunting of Hill House – “Two Storms”

Netflix’s history of original shows has been a spotty one. Sure, they’ve had some major hits, but for every Stranger Things or Daredevil, there have been less successful shows such as Space Force or the Cowboy Bebop remake. Still, whenever they hit it out of the park, they do so fully. And few new entries to their canon in recent years have done this more successfully than their 2018 reimagining of the Shirley Jackson classic The Haunting of Hill House .

But while this mini-series made use of a more single extended story format than the episodic structure of many other entries on this list, there was one episode in particular that stood out for its use of single takes. Yes, in the sixth episode entitled “Two Storms,” we would get to see the show drift back and forth between its two timelines, maintaining one mostly long unbroken take as it did. And this decision, with its echoes towards Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope, ending up not only highlighting the strength of the storytelling on display but also the acting and production in a way it wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. [7]

3 Breaking Bad – “Fly”

Vince Gilligan’s masterpiece Breaking Bad has by this point developed a reputation for being arguably the greatest TV show of its era. Its story of the fall of a once-good man and the destruction he reaped on everyone around him grabbed the audience’s attention completely from the very first second. And while almost every episode of the show has been universally praised, there’s one which fans remain divided on to this day: the season three episode “Fly.”

And part of the reason for that is that it feels so different from the rest of the series. Instead of featuring the high octane moral dilemmas that most episodes are filled with, this one slows things down, focusing entirely on Walt and Jesse’s attempts to kill a pesky fly that’s been roaming around their underground meth lab. But while some felt this story was jarring at the time, others were able to appreciate it for what it was. It played out like a two-man play, where we would get to really dive into the depths of Walt’s internal struggles as he tries his best to atone for his part in the death of his partner’s girlfriend Jane, all while wanting to continue to keep the whole incident a dirty little secret. [8]

2 ER – Ambush

There’s a lot of room for error during the filming of a TV episode. Takes can easily get messed up, and reshoots are often required. So it’s a risky move then to decide to film an episode live. And while ER certainly wasn’t the first show to attempt this, they were maybe the one who pulled it off best during their season four episode “Ambush.”

Yes, it was here that we would see a documentary crew follow the staff of the fictional Chicago hospital around. This served as an excuse for the whole thing to be filmed in a different style. But more important than this, the episode was actually aired live, making the whole thing come off more like a stage show as audiences watched and waited to see if they could successfully pull the whole thing off. Which, in the end, they did. [9]

1 Twin Peaks: The Return – “Part Eight”

And finally, we reach the granddaddy of experimental television, something which, fittingly, was created by one of the greatest avant-garde filmmakers of all time, David Lynch.

Of course, Twin Peaks had always been known as a TV show willing to push the boundaries throughout its original run in the early ‘90s, with locations such as the Red Room and characters like Killer Bob wowing audiences at the time. That said, it would be the 2017 revival of the show Twin Peaks: The Return that would allow its creator to go full Lynch. During “Part Eight,” he gave audiences one of the most challenging and beautiful hours of television ever seen on a small screen.

There’s less of a narrative here and more of an extended dream logic. Through often abstract imagery and unclear temporal placement, we get to dive into the rich mythology of the show, possibly getting the origins of the main villain Judy and maybe even seeing the fabled White Lodge for the first time. As with all of Lynch’s more abstract work, however, this all remains open to interpretation. So, if for any reason you haven’t seen this one yet, go back and check it out now. I promise you won’t be disappointed. [10]

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Want Adventure? These Fantasy TV Shows on Netflix Are Worth a Binge

From witches and dragons to monster hunters and pirates, Netflix's fantasy library is on point.

Jenna Ortega is Wednesday Addams and Emma Myers is Enid Sinclair in Wednesday on Netflix.

Netflix has been a game-changer in the world of fantasy TV shows. Over a decade ago, Game of Thrones set a new standard for the genre on the small screen, and since then, Netflix has consistently pushed the boundaries of fantasy storytelling. 

The fantasy genre can encompass all sorts of stories. Yes, there can be dragons, elves and orcs to reckon with here, but the fantasy TV shows on Netflix range from magical YA tales to sinister supernatural thrillers.

Whether you're looking for a spooky murder mystery, a quirky pirate journey, a dystopian coming-of-age adventure or a hack-and-slash monster thriller, you'll find it here.

If you want suggestions for the best  fantasy TV shows  on Netflix, you've come to the right place. Scroll to find our guide for titles to add to your list. Now, all you've got to do is decide what to watch first.  Read more: 18 Best TV Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now

Sweet Tooth

Based on the Vertigo comic book of the same name, Sweet Tooth takes place post-pandemic in a dystopian future where human babies are born with animal characteristics. These "Hybrids" are vilified by the general public and blamed for the extinction-level event known as "The Great Crumble." Our hero is a half-boy/half-deer Hybrid named Gus (Christian Convery) who goes on a journey to find his long-lost mother and, potentially, a cure.

Eiichiro Oda's One Piece is a global phenomenon. The hit anime got the live-action works on Netflix and, thanks to the insight provided by Oda, this One Piece instantly became a hit with fans the world over. The fun collective performances of the cast and the program's immersive world-building and action-packed vibe proved that a live-action adaptation can absolutely work. The program, like the anime and manga before it, follows Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) as he pursues his dream to become a pirate and find Gol D. Roger's legendary treasure know as, wait for it, the One Piece.

Locke and Key

Inspired by the comic books written by Joe Hill (Stephen King's son) and illustrated by Gabriel Rodríguez, Locke and Key follows the Locke family as they attempt to pick up the pieces after the unit's patriarch is mysteriously murdered. They move back to Keyhouse, their ancestral home, and soon, weird things begin to happen. The three Locke siblings -- Tyler, (Connor Jessup) Kinsey (Emilia Jones) and Bode (Jackson Robert Scott) -- and their mother, Nina (Darby Stanchfield), discover keys that unlock all sorts of magical secrets that could give the answers behind their father's death.

Lockwood & Co.

Lockwood & Co. is based on the book series by Jonathan Stroud. The YA genre series follows three young paranormal investigators who fight ghost threats on behalf of their burgeoning psychic detection agency in London. The sharp dialogue and chemistry between the three leads -- Lucy Carlyle, Anthony Lockwood and George Cubbins -- make this program a fun binge.

With Wednesday, Tim Burton has found further gold to mine in the Addams Family story canon. The series follows Wednesday Addams, played with deadpan delight by Jenna Ortega, as she's sent off to attend Nevermore Academy -- the school for outcasts. Throughout the first season, Wednesday investigates a murder mystery plaguing the school and the nearby town of Jericho. She may not make friends easily, but she definitely leaves her mark (as does the program).

The Witcher

The Witcher stars Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, the program's titular hero. Based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski -- which first inspired the popular video game franchise -- the Netflix show follows the adventures of Geralt as he hunts monsters. Thanks to the detailed world-building and ensemble performances, The Witcher is a must-watch for any fans of the fantasy genre. 

Cavill left the series after season 3, with Liam Hemsworth taking over the role.

The Sandman

The Sandman hails from the broodingly brilliant mind of Neil Gaiman. Inspired by the characters and storylines from his beloved DC comic book series, the program follows Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), aka the King of Dreams, aka Dream, as he ventures through multiple worlds and timelines to retrieve items stolen from him, rebuild his power, and save The Dreaming -- aka his home. 

The show's cast is stacked with impressive talent, including Charles Dance, Jenna Coleman, Boyd Holbrook, Gwendoline Christie, Patton Oswalt, Mark Hamill, Stephen Fry, David Thewlis, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Vivienne Acheampong and Mason Alexander Park. 

Dead Boy Detectives

Dead Boy Detectives is the second series within Neil Gaiman's Sandman universe to come to Netflix. The spin-off follows two teenage dead boys -- George Rexstrew plays Edwin Payne and Jayden Revri is Charles Rowland -- who decided the afterlife was for suckers and instead joined forces to solve supernatural mysteries.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Based on Daniel "Lemony Snicket" Handler's hit YA book series, Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events follows Violet (Melina Weissman), Klaus (Louis Hynes) and Sunny Baudelaire (Presley Smith) -- three unlucky orphans who face a headwind of challenges as they seek to unveil the truth about their parents. If only that greedy Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris) would stop getting in their way. 

Arcane is an animated series that effortlessly elevates the genre. Inspired by the immensely popular League of Legends, the program explores the origin story of two iconic characters from the video game. In the process, this beautifully animated program unpacks heavy issues like class warfare and trauma.

Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone takes inspiration from Leigh Bardugo's popular Grishaverse novel series. The show follows Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a young woman who learns she has special abilities. Discovering she's a Grisha (or magic-user) is just the beginning of her adventure as she's faced with the huge responsibility of bringing peace to a war-torn universe.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Netflix continues its effort to make the perfect live-action adaptation of a hit anime. Avatar: The Last Airbender pursues story beats familiar from the animated series and follows young Aang, who discovers he's the last Airbender -- the proverbial chosen one who can control the four major elements: air, fire, water and earth. Netflix found enough promise in the fledgling project to renew it for a second and third season .

Castlevania

Castlevania hails from comic book writer Warren Ellis and takes inspiration from the Konami video games Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The series follows heroes Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Alucard (James Callis) and Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso) as they fight Dracula and underlings. With an aesthetic that honors the Konami games; compelling writing; and heaps of blood-soaked action, this is a worthy title to add to your watch list.

Warrior Nun

Warrior Nun takes its inspiration from Ben Dunn's comic book Warrior Nun Areala. The series follows Ava Silva, a young woman who wakes up in a morgue with superpowers and a divine artifact stuck in her back. Her journey of self-discovery reveals a new purpose in life: to battle demons and other such hell-beasts on Earth. Why? Because she's now a member of an ancient sect of supernatural nuns known as the Order of the Cruciform Sword. 

It's a bonkers bloody thrill-ride that lasted two seasons on the streamer -- meaning it won't take too long for you to binge right through it.

Disenchantment

Matt Groening, creator of animation giants The Simpsons and Futurama, brought his unique sensibilities to Netflix with Disenchantment. The five-season series takes viewers back to medieval Europe and a fictional kingdom named Dreamland. The show follows the misadventures of the rebellious, often-drunk princess Bean (Abbie Jacobson), her demon sidekick Luci (Eric André) and their elf pal Elfo (Nat Faxon) as they galavant through neighboring lands, confront bizarre characters and uncover an overarching conspiracy.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is the prequel series to the 1982 Jim Hensen cult classic The Dark Crystal. The program follows three brave Gelfling -- Rian, Brea and Deet -- as they spark a rebellion against the Skesksi race after learning the truth about the source of their rulers' power. The series relied heavily on practical effects and puppetry and kept the use of CGI to a minimum. Due to the production costs, the show was canceled after one season. But boy what a wonderful season it is.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a supernatural YA series created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the chief creative officer of Archie Comics. He's the same person who brought Riverdale to the CW, which makes sense considering the similar tone both programs have. This Sabrina, unlike '90s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, delves heavily into the occult. It's a wonderfully mature take on the character, and it planted the seeds for what the streamer could do with original programming in the genre. Basically, Sabrina walked so Wednesday could run.

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